Handling a Sudden Pipe Burst

View More

Do you find yourself trying to locate advice on How to Fix a Burst Water Pipe?



The instant response when a pipe bursts in your home is to enter full panic mode. Do not fret; you are not alone as a lot of home owners feel this way, too. Besides, this concern can lead to substantial home damage.

Though it might be difficult to do, remain calm as well as accumulated. Making rash choices can make the situation even worse. To aid you out, here are six immediate actions you have to take when facing burst pipelines. Bear in mind, knowledge is power so researching this before it occurs will certainly enable you to remain in control even amid an enormous emergency water leak:

Try a Do It Yourself Pipe Repair



If you've obtained handyman skills, do a small repair service like sealing off a tiny fracture. You can purchase piping sealant to make quick fixes. Beware with the application, so you don't intensify any kind of issues. If you require to tighten a couple of nuts as well as screws, resist need to over-tighten as this can cause leaks down the line.

Close the Main Water Shutoff



After a fast scan, you can currently turn off the main water. Maintaining water running will certainly cause huge damage. The last point you require is major flooding warps wooden floorings or ruins devices and furniture. You additionally want to prevent mold growth. Turn off the valve and also call the plumber for an emergency examination.

Drain the Pipeline



As you wait on the plumber to get here, drain the water moving in the pipes. Just run your faucet and also flush the commode to ensure that whatever water is staying will completely drain. When you do this, the leakage will stop going where it's not meant to be to begin with. With that said, the plumber can also work much faster. Simply don't fail to remember to shut down the tap after the pipes are drained.

Remove Any Standing Water



Don't let any standing water sit for too. It will lead to more damage if water permeates right into your floorings or carpet. You additionally don't want it to flow right into essential things like electronics. Clean up the water as well as completely dry the location off immediately. If you have electric fans, maintain them running to circulate the air as well as promote quicker drying out.

Conduct a Quick Visual Evaluation



Though your reaction is to turn off the shutoff immediately, time out for a while as well as carry out a fast aesthetic examination of the website. Attempt and also identify where the water is dripping from. Doing so will certainly permit you to advise the plumber on what area to take a look at. This less-than-a-minute perusal will save you time and help your plumber rapidly identify the source.

Call a Reliable Plumber



If you really feel not sure regarding your skills to fix a tiny fracture or tiny leakage, it is best to call a professional plumber. When it comes to fixings, they have the understanding, skills, devices, and also experience to get points done fast. Dabbling with pipes is not a joke as it can cause more issues if done inaccurately. Finding a reputable plumbing service guarantees your water leakage is taken care of successfully as well as successfully.

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



Do you enjoy more info about What to Do When a Pipe Bursts in Your Home? Try leaving a comment further down. We'd be delighted to find out your thoughts about this piece. We hope that you visit us again in the near future. Do you know about somebody else who is looking into What to Do When a Pipe Bursts in Your Home? Do not hesitate to promote it. I appreciate reading our article about 6 Basic Steps to Stop a Burst Pipe from Getting Out of Control.



Superior emergency plumbing? We're here.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *