Nothing strikes fear into the heart of a homeowner than the thought of a pipe burst. This mini-explosion can suddenly turn your world upside down. It is usually followed by a surge of water that can only mean one thing – flooding. It is important that you respond immediately to avert a disaster. Let’s go over some of the things you should do when a water pipe bursts in house.
- Shut Off Main Water Supply
You need to turn off the water from the main valve to prevent water damage. Every home has a main water shut-off valve inside the home. Find it and turn the knife-style valve or handle clockwise.
- Assess the Damage
Things can only get better after you’ve turned off the water. Now examine the area around the burst pipe and determine how to stop the water from moving to lower areas of your home.
- Turn Off Electricity
Electricity and water is not a good mix. To prevent electrical shock accidents, turn off all power. This is especially if the water has spread to most parts of the house.
- Document the Damage
While it’s tempting to get to work immediately, you should make a pint of taking photos of the damage caused. The photos will come in handy when you’re filing a claim with your insurer.
- Remove Soaked Items
Anything that’s been touched by water should be removed at this point. This includes furniture, rugs, books and any other items. You can put all these items in your garage or lawn to dry.
- Ventilation
Make sure to open all windows to allow for proper ventilation. You can also run a dehumidifier to get rid of the moisture in the air. Doing this will help prevent the growth of mold.
- Remove the water
You can now start removing the water. Use a wet vacuum cleaner to do this. It will take a while depending on the volume of the water after water pipe burst in house
- Check Wood Flooring
Wood flooring runs the risk of warping after it gets wet. Check the warranty of your floor manufacturer for instructions on what to do after the floor is soaked in water. There should be some after care instructions. You can use fans to dry the wood floor completely.
- Check Drywall for Damage
Check the seams of your drywall for water damage. If they show no sign of swelling or separation, then they are still intact and you need not worry. If you do notice any damage, then you might need to replace the damaged drywall.
- Repair the Pipes
If you’re not handy with plumbing, you might need to hire a professional plumber to repair the damage to your piping. A professional will be in a position to identify the cause of the burst pipe and determine what to do to forestall a recurrence.
As a rule of thumb, you should call in a professional restoration company if water seeps into your sub floor or drywall. They would be best placed to help remove or restore items that run the risk of developing mold. Remember, when a pipe bursts in your home, time is of the essence.
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