Are you a homeowner? If so, then you’re probably familiar with many of the challenges that come with basic home maintenance.
In fact, household upkeep can often seem like a full-time job. That’s why the more you know about dealing with common problems that can happen around the house, the better you’ll be able to cope in an emergency.
This includes plumbing emergencies such as a burst pipe. When a serious leak occurs, it can cause major water damage in a hurry. Fortunately, this article takes a look at how to handle a water pipe burst before the situation gets out of control.
Keep reading to get the inside scoop.
1. Call a Plumber Immediately
Before you do anything else, call a St Pete plumber. It’s important that a plumbing professional gets to your house as soon as possible.
You might be tempted to clean up the mess or attempt to repair the pipe yourself, but you’ll only be wasting precious time and allowing the water leak to become even worse.
The best strategy is to keep the name and number of a reliable plumbing service on the refrigerator so that you won’t have to search for it when it matters most.
2. Turn Off the Water and Electricity
Next, take the time to turn off the water source to the broken pipe to stop the flow into the room, and then cut the power to the room to reduce the risk of getting shocked.
The water main switch should be located along the perimeter of your home facing the street. Turning the water off as soon as possible can prevent a lot of damage.
If you aren’t sure how to do this, a skilled plumber can show you.
3. Redirect the Water
Once the water supply is turned off, turn on some faucets throughout the house. This will help redirect the water away from the busted pipe.
It’s also a smart idea to place a bucket beneath the leak to catch any remaining water as it drains.
4. Make a Temporary Patch
If you have any basic plumbing skills, feel free to make a temporary patch for the leaking pipe. This will help minimize further leakage and reduce the amount of water damage for your plumbing makes it to the house.
The key is to use a piece of rubber to cover the hole, applying a clamp to hold it in place.
5. Start Cleaning Up
As soon as you have things under control, it’s time to get the water cleaned up. Keep in mind that it’s important to get everything dried out as quickly as possible. Otherwise, the water will have time to soak in, resulting in water damage and the unpleasant musty smell that most people will instantly recognize.
Mop the wet spaces thoroughly, then open the windows and use a space heater to speed up the drying process.
A Homeowner’s Guide to Dealing With a Burst Pipe to Prevent Flooding
There’s nothing fun about water damage in your home. Fortunately, these important tips for coping with a burst pipe will help you get ahead of the problem until help can arrive.
Please contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our plumbing professionals.
