When a Pipe Burst, Act Fast

5/1/2018 (Permalink)

Bursting pipes can cause a lot of damage, especially when the water or the pipe is not dealt with quickly. To prevent significant water damage from ruining your structure, there are steps you need to take as soon as possible:

• Identify the source of the issue

• Turn off the main water valve

• Fix the broken pipe

• Look out for and remove safety hazards (if you can do so safely)

• Call SERVPRO of Auburn Rocklin water damage restoration team

Mitigate Damage Before Help Arrives

While your local water remediation team should arrive within hours of your phone call, a few hours can mean the difference between mold growth and a mildew-free building. In the meantime, act as your own handyman and get to work.

First, shut off the water supply to your building. Open up a faucet to relieve any pressure that may build up while the supply line is off. If you cannot fix the bursting pipes on your own, call a plumber. Fixing the source of the problem is key, as remediation efforts will be for naught if the same issue happens when you turn the water back on.

Turn up the heat in your building and start getting rid of water. Use towels, buckets, a sump pump, fans and any other moisture wicking methods at your disposal. If it’s nice outside, open a window. If the pipes burst inside a vanity or beneath a sink, open cabinet doors and let the warm air flow in there.

Depending on how bad the damage is, you may not be able to do much beyond the aforementioned steps. However, your Auburn/Rocklin water damage team should be arriving any minute, so sit back and wait for help. If you acted quickly, they should have to do nothing more than give you the OK to start cleaning and to provide advice on how to prevent broken pipes in the future. Visit http://www.SERVPROauburnrocklin.com/ for more information on commercial water damage