Emergency Response: Pipe Burst Edition

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What to Do When a Pipe Bursts in Your Home
The immediate response when a pipe bursts in your property is to go in full panic setting. Do not stress; you are not the only one as the majority of house owners feel by doing this, too. After all, this issue can cause substantial residence damages.

Though it might be difficult to do, stay calm as well as gathered. Making rash choices can make the circumstance worse. To help you out, here are six prompt actions you must take when encountering ruptured pipelines. Keep in mind, knowledge is power so reading up on this prior to it occurs will certainly enable you to remain in control also amidst a large emergency water leak:

Try a Do It Yourself Pipe Repair



If you have actually obtained handyman skills, do a small repair service like sealing a tiny split. You can buy piping sealer to make quick fixes. Be cautious with the application, so you do not worsen any kind of problems. If you require to tighten up a few nuts and also bolts, withstand need to over-tighten as this can lead to leakages down the line.

Close the Main Water Shutoff



After a quick scan, you can currently shut off the major supply of water. Maintaining water running will certainly lead to huge damage. The last thing you need is major flooding warps wood floors or damages home appliances and furniture. You likewise want to avoid mold and mildew growth. Shut off the shutoff as well as call the plumber for an emergency assessment.

Drain the Pipe



As you wait for the plumber to arrive, drain pipes the water streaming in the pipelines. Just run your tap and also flush the toilet to make sure that whatever water is remaining will entirely drain. When you do this, the leakage will certainly stop going where it's not supposed to be in the first place. Keeping that, the plumber can also function faster. Simply don't forget to turn off the faucet after the pipes are drained.

Remove Any Type Of Standing Water



Do not allow any kind of standing water sit for as well. It will cause even more damage if water leaks right into your floors or carpet. You likewise do not desire it to stream right into crucial products like electronics. Tidy up the water and completely dry the location off right away. If you have electrical fans, keep them going to circulate the air and advertise quicker drying.

Conduct a Quick Visual Assessment



Though your instinct is to turn off the shutoff today, pause for some time as well as perform a quick visual evaluation of the website. Attempt and find where the water is dripping from. Doing so will permit you to advise the plumber on what area to consider. This less-than-a-minute perusal will certainly conserve you time and also aid your plumber promptly identify the root cause.

Call a Trustworthy Plumber



If you feel uncertain regarding your skills to take care of a little split or tiny leakage, it is best to call an expert plumber. When it pertains to repairs, they have the understanding, abilities, tools, and experience to get points done fast. Dabbling with pipelines is not a joke as it can result in more complications if done inaccurately. Locating a reputable plumbing solution ensures your water leakage is taken care of effectively and efficiently.

What to Do When a Pipe Bursts in Your Home


Careful planning comes in handy, particularly in a situation where a home emergency occurs. For example, a water pipe bursts – what are your first, second, third and fourth steps to remediate the problem? A little planning ahead of time can mean all the difference in the world.



First off, let’s look at what causes pipes to burst. It basically comes down to a few simple things, and they include water pressure problems, corrosion, frozen pipes and pipes that move or have been involved in a collision.


Freezing weather


Extremely cold temperatures, which people in Northern Illinois and Indiana can attest to, can be the most common source of a burst pipe, because when water freezes it expands. Expansion is not something most pipes can handle, so they will split and burst.



To prevent your pipes from freezing this winter, make sure that your home’s heating system is up to the task and is getting hot air to areas that are usually drafty. If you haven’t insulated pipes in these drafty areas, that’s a highly recommended precaution to take. Furthermore, professional plumbers can install special equipment to keep your pipes in drafty areas from freezing.


Corroded pipes


If you live in an older home, you’ve probably got some pipes that are corroding on the inside. If you live in an area where the pH is out of balance, you’re pipes will corrode at a faster rate.



Galvanized pipes are prone to corrosion, which happens after the galvanized coating is eroded away and the iron in the pipe is exposed to water, and the pipe begins to rust. The diameter of the pipe will eventually thin out and you’ll be at risk of a major leak.


Moving pipes


Have you ever turned off the water in your home and heard/felt a bang? That’s called water hammer, and it occurs when pipes aren’t secured. Movement is not good on your pipes, particularly in the joints connecting one pipe to the next.



In some cases, it’s a home improvement project gone wrong that will lead to a burst pipe. For example, you’re putting in new drywall in the bathroom and when you hammer in a nail or use your drill to put in a drywall screw, it hits a hidden pipe.


Stop the flow


The only way a burst pipe is going to stop leaking is for the water main supply valve to be turned to the off position. Find out exactly where your water main is and rehearse the steps you need to take to get there and whether you’ll need a tool to turn off the water.



One caveat to this is that you want to make sure you’re not risking electrocution on the way to turn off the valve. For example, if your basement has flooded as a result of the broken pipe, standing water can represent a shock risk, so avoid a situation like that and simply call your plumber to handle the situation.


Mop up the mess


Water can cause considerable damage to a home, which is why as soon as you’re able to cease the flow, you need to start cleaning up.



Water can cause warping in your subfloor, which might take a while to present itself, but it will eventually be an issue, which is why the sooner you can get your interiors dry, the better off you’ll be.



If the flood is substantial, it’s worth your money to hire a professional crew to dry out your interiors.

https://www.oldworldplumbing.com/plumbing-tips/burst-pipes



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