What To Do When A Pipe Bursts (And Before The Plumber Gets There)

A burst pipe is disastrous for any homeowner. Changing temperatures can be tough for weak pipes because water contracts and expands with a lot of force resulting in burst pipes. If you are experiencing this, you need to contact a plumber immediately. Here are a few steps to do after pipe bursts in your home to prevent further damage before the plumber gets there.

Turn Off The Water

You need to turn off the water supply from the main. If the water from the burst pipe is moving towards the electrical sockets or fuse box, you need to turn off the electricity carefully to avoid electrocution. If you own your home, you should be able to find the main water shut-off valve in the house.

It might be located in the crawl spaces, basement or anywhere near your water heater. If it’s not inside your home, you should be able to find it outside covered with a metal lid.

Drain Your Faucets And Start With The Cold Taps

Once you have turned off the water supply, you should open the faucets to remove any cold water left. You should also flush your toilets to remove the water. It prevents any leftover water inside the pipes that might freeze. It also reduces any amount of pressure in your pipes.

Turn Off The Heat And Drain Your Hot Taps

Next, you need to turn off your water boiler and heater then release all the hot water in your hot taps.

Let The Warm Air In

Due to the cold weather, your pipes are likely going to burst or freeze so you need to let the warm air in. Once you have drained any leftover water in your taps, it’s time to turn on the heat and punch up the thermostat. Even better, you can use a hairdryer to heat up the pipe in question. Don’t forget to open up the cabinet doors to let the warm air circulate inside the pipes.

Cleaning Up

Once you have identified where the leak is originating from, you should start mopping the excess water to prevent mold in your home. You don’t want further damage to your home from the excess water.

Document Everything

After containing the emergency, you should take photos of everything, especially any damage to your possessions and your home. Don’t throw away anything since it will be used as evidence when you are talking to your insurance company.

Take The Necessary Preventative Steps

Now that you have handled a serious emergency such as a burst pipe, you need to prevent such mishaps from happening in the future. Start by winterizing your home by adding insulation to keep the pipes and rooms from getting below freezing points during winter.

Next, you should add heat tape or pipe sleeves in the bathroom or under the kitchen sink. You can also use newspapers as an alternative. Note that, pinhole leaks that allow cold air into the pipes are the worst for frozen pipes. You need to detect them when they are small.

That’s why you need to hire the best plumber who can identify these leaks as early as possible and resolve them before they cause more damage to your plumbing or home.

Let your pipes breathe. You should open up the cabinet doors to make sure your pipes access warm air from the rest of your house. Make sure the thermostat is above 32 degrees to warm up the pipes and prevent further freezing or bursting during the colder months.

Call a local plumber immediately you notice a leaking pipe in your home. Choose an emergency plumber who can come to your home at any time of the day or night to prevent further damage to your property because of a leaky pipe. Take your time to find the best plumber for such emergencies.