As a property owner, it’s your responsibility to ensure that your property remains in good condition for as long as possible. After all, if your property suffers from various issues like burst pipes, it can be costly to repair and may even prevent you from staying at your own home for a few weeks. In the case of commercial buildings, on the other hand, a burst pipe can damage business equipment and affect your tenants for days or weeks on end. As such, it’s highly recommended that you learn what are the steps you need to do if your property experiences a burst pipe.
Turn Off the Water Main
If your property suffers from a burst pipe, one of the first things that you should do to prevent further damage is turn off the water main. That way, it stops leaking even more water around your home or building. If the burst pipe happens to your house, you can find the main water shut-off valve in your basement, crawl space or close to your water heater. If the burst pipe happens on a commercial building, meanwhile, you can find it under a metal lid on your property close to the street.
If you feel like the leaks from the pipe burst may have reached any of the electrical sockets or fuse box, be sure to turn off the electricity as well for extra precaution.
Drain the Faucets
After you’ve turned off the water main, the next thing you should do is drain the faucets. To do this, you should start with draining the cold taps first to remove the remaining cold water from the system and reduce the chances of leftover water freezing inside the pipes or building up pressure that can cause further damage. After you’ve drained the cold taps, you can now move on to draining your hot taps.
Clean Up the Mess
A burst pipe can cause a lot of mess around your home. If you already know where the leak is coming from, it’s highly recommended that you start mopping up the excess water immediately to prevent mold and mildew from growing and spreading throughout your home. If you want to take extra precautions, you’re also more than free to enlist the services of a mold prevention expert to disinfect the affected area. Finally, if there are any gadgets, furniture or carpets damaged by the water, get rid of them immediately as they can be hazardous to keep around your home.
Document the Damage
Finally, you should also document the damage caused by the burst pipe by taking photos and detailed notes of the mishap. That way, when the time comes for you to file an insurance claim, you can justify the amount that you ask for in the settlement.
Need someone who can help you maintain your property’s plumbing? Don’t hesitate to turn to Summit Renovation. Give us a call at (205) 994-6383, or fill out our contact form to get in touch with us and request a FREE consultation and estimate today!
Top