Let’s talk about every homeowner’s worst nightmare when it comes to plumbing: a burst pipe. Big or small, those are words none of us want to hear. Our home is our castle, our sanctuary. We take pride in keeping it in tip top shape and when we hear the words “burst pipe” it always means bad news. Older homes tend to fall victim to burst pipes more often than newer homes due to negligence or simply because it was that pipe’s time to go. Wear and tear can cause all sorts of problem.
So it happened… What can we do about it?
What are the steps we should immediately take?
What are the steps we should immediately take?
- Turn off your home’s main water source. By turning off the main water source for your home you can decrease the level of damage immediately. Always be familiar with the layout of your home and know where the main water source is located so you can quickly make your way there and shut it off. Most of them require just turning a valve but some may require a special key to access. Know all this before anything happens as a precaution and to take care of this step quickly.
- Be wary of electrical damage. If the water has spread extensively throughout your home and you fear electrocution of any kind, call a certified electrician to assess the electrical damage done and so they can safely shut off the power if needed.
- Relieve any water pressure. Open the faucets all around your home to relieve any excess water pressure after you have shut off the main water source. Keep these open until no more water comes out.
- Call us (214) 328-7371. Do not attempt to fix anything this serious yourself. We’ve seen all kinds of do-it-yourself patch jobs and 10 out of 10 times these are done incorrectly and only last a very small period of time. Calling a certified professional plumber like the ones at Metro-Flow Plumbing will save you time, money, and headaches.
- Open the windows, rent a fan and dehumidifiers to dry up anything you can’t see with the naked eye. Once your Metro-Flow Plumbing technician arrives he will share with you, your options for water remediation with our preferred water restoration company.
- Home insurance agent. Your chosen water restoration company is who usually guides you regarding your home insurance claims. Make sure to ask them about this.
- Take photos of everything. Take pictures of the burst pipe, the water damage it caused, etc. Take notes of the conversations with your plumber and electrician to have handy if any questions arise.
How can You Prevent a Pipe from Bursting
Most broken pipes can be caused by a sharp drop in temperature. We experienced some harsh weather at the beginning of last year that caused major plumbing problems for quite a lot of people. One way to prevent problems like this is insulating your pipes. Water naturally hangs out inside of pipes. When this freezes, pipes burst. Insulating your pipes will help keep them from freezing. That’s why it is also recommended to keep a small drip of water flowing throughout the night to prevent your pipes from freezing when temperatures drop below 35 degrees. When doing this, keep the cabinet doors under your sink open to help keep the air circulating. Learn more about how to prevent a burst pipe here.
Keep us in mind and we’ll have your back! Our number is (214) 328-7371. Our friendly staff is ready to assist you. Be sure to check out our website to learn a little more about Metro-Flow Plumbing as well as all the other incredible services new offer.
