Burst pipes can occur in all weather conditions and at any time of year here in Lexington, KY. Age-related deterioration, corrosion, clogs, and excessively high water pressure can degrade your pipes’ integrity and leave water pooling on your floors. Here is what you should do during a burst pipe emergency.
Shut Your Water Off
Your home has three types of pipes: water supply pipes, wastewater pipes, and the underground sewer line that carts your waste away. If you have a ruptured pipe, you’ll need to shut your water off immediately. This remains true regardless of where the problem lies.
You’ll find your main water shutoff in your basement, a crawlspace, near your water heater, or in a low-lying utility closet. It’s best to find and test it before you need it.
Turn Off Your Electricity
Pooling water is an electrical hazard, especially when it’s near active electrical outlets, appliances, or devices. After you’ve turned off your main water supply, turn your electricity off as well. You’ll find the main shut-off for your electrical system in your circuit breaker box. In addition to the breakers for each circuit throughout your home, there’s a larger, double-width switch at the top or bottom of the electrical panel. Toggle this switch into the “OFF” position.
Catch Water to Minimize Damage
In the event of a water supply pipe leak, mop up pooling water or dry the area with towels. This will keep the water from spreading and could protect your floors and sub-floors from serious damage. You can also place a bucket or other container down to catch any residual drips.
If you have a broken wastewater pipe, definitely leave the mess for trained professionals. Also known as black water, the waste that flows from broken wastewater pipes is rife with dangerous biological and chemical contaminants.
Schedule Emergency Plumbing Service
Schedule emergency plumbing service right away. It makes no sense to thoroughly dry, clean, sanitize, and deodorize your home until the underlying plumbing problem has been fixed. Most restoration companies won’t start their work until homeowners have completed this step. At Pipe Surgeon Plumbing, we’ll explain your repair and replacement options and give you a clear, itemized estimate before getting started.
Dry Your Home Out
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mold spores can form within just 24 to 48 hours of a burst pipe or any other indoor flood event. Drying your home entails far more than suctioning up standing pools of water. Moisture can enter air pockets within building materials and remain trapped there for weeks. This is why water damage restoration companies use heaters, blowers, air movers, fans, and other equipment as part of their cleanup. To minimize long-term damage and ensure the health and safety of building residents, it’s often best to outsource water damage cleanup.
Document Water Damage
If possible, take pictures of all water damage and of your ruptured pipe. Write down the date of the event and other relevant details. These are all things that your insurance company will ask about when you file your claim.
Signs You Have a Burst Pipe
Unfortunately, not every burst pipe will leave visible pools of water on your floors. Your plumbing system is a vast network of pipes and most are hidden behind your walls. However, there are several ways to identify burst pipes before the resulting damage spirals out of control:
- Running water sounds behind your walls
- Damp drywall and baseboards
- Bulging walls
- Blistered and peeling paint
- Persistent, wet smells
Ruptured Pipes at the Exterior of the Building
Pipes can also burst at the exterior of the building. During times of freezing weather, exposed outdoor pipes actually have the highest risk of rupturing. Throughout the year, outdoor pipes are just as subject to damage from hard water minerals and high pressure as the pipes inside your home. Common signs of a ruptured outdoor pipe include:
- Foul-smelling or off-tasting tap water
- Discolored tap water
- Soggy, sunken spots in your yard
- Sudden changes in water pressure
A burst pipe could also be the reason behind a sudden and significant change in your home water bill.
At Pipe Surgeon Plumbing, we offer expert pipe repair and pipe replacement services as well as a wide range of other plumbing matters. We proudly serve Lexington and the surrounding communities. If you have a burst pipe emergency, we’ll be there when you need us. We can also help with expert drain services. Contact Pipe Surgeon Plumbing when this happens!
