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What To Do If Your Pipes Burst

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What To Do If Your Pipes Burst

Your home is the biggest investment you make. Therefore, it is crucial you keep this investment safe. One of the things that can adversely affect your investment is broken pipes. In fact, broken and leaking pipes can wreak havoc with your home and life; and this problem tends to rear its ugly head more often in winter when temperatures dip.

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Causes of Broken and Burst Pipes

In winter, when temperatures fall drastically, the water in pipes freezes and turns to ice. When water turns into ice it expands, and it is this expansion that causes burst and broken pipes.

If you have not taken measures to prevent pipes from freezing and you have no water pressure in a tap, it is one of the most common signs of a burst pipe. Even though people are aware of the importance of preventing pipes from freezing, they often forget about it.  This would explain the statistics from insurance companies stating that 50 million homes suffer from burst and broken pipes due to freezing temperatures every year. Although this is Florida and we don’t have nearly as brutal winters as some other states, we still have very cold days here.

There is no doubt a burst and broken pipe can turn your life upside down. The damage and worry it causes can surpass everything else you face that day. Thankfully, there are some steps you can take if you end up with a burst pipe in your home.

Steps to Take When Faced with Broken Pipes

If you have broken pipes that are soaking through your walls and precious possessions, begin with the step highlighted below.

  • Step 1: The moment you notice a broken or burst pipe, the first thing to do is turn off the water supply. This will prevent the water from leaking out of the crack and cause further damage to your home and assets. If the pipe is frozen, it is best not to let it thaw. So, take measures to prevent the pipe from thawing.

  • Step 2: Then, drain out all the systems. This is an important step and don’t ignore it. If majority of the systems in your home is empty, it will prevent the water from seeping through your home. So flush all the toilets and open up the cold water taps. This helps to drain systems quickly.

  • Step 3: Switch off your heating system. This not only means turning off the HVAC, it also means switching off the boiler. Once the boiler is switched off, it is time to drain the system to prevent water from stagnating and/or leaking out. So, go to the bathroom and kitchen and open up the hot water taps to drain the boiler completely.

  • Step 4: Check where it is leaking. If the burst pipe is near a power source, you will want to switch off the fuse of that room or the main of the house. This will safeguard you and your loved ones from getting electrocuted or causing a major electrical failure in your home.

  • Step 5: While this is not the most interesting part, it has to be done. Get rid of the water from the broken pipes. Collect old towels, mop and anything else that helps you scoop the stagnant water into buckets and pans. Discard the water in your garden. If you are living in an apartment, drain the water in the sink or toilet.

  • Step 6: Remember broken pipes need to be fixed and this can cost money. So, this is a good time to call up your insurance provider. Use the emergency helpline to make the call and inform them about the burst pipe. Tell everything that will facilitate a smooth claim. During this call, your home insurance provider will advise you on how to begin the claim process and also let you know how you’ll receive the insurance payments for the repair work.

  • Step 7: Before you fix the burst, it is a good idea to take pictures to record the damage that the leaking water has wreaked in your home. This will help in the insurance claim process. Alternatively, you can make detailed notes of the damage. Don’t forget to write down what led to the problem – the burst pipe.

  • Step 8: This is the last and most important step in case of broken pipes. Call a reputable professional to fix the leak. A burst or broken pipe is not meant to be a DIY project. So, don’t attempt to fix the problem yourself to save money. It will lead to major problems and expenses if the work is not done correctly. So, call the right plumber to fix the problem.

The Bottom Line

When you have broken pipes, you require a reputable and reliable plumber. That’s why homeowners in Jacksonville, FL trust Fenwick Home Services, Inc. We offer reliable and affordable emergency plumbing services that are unmatched in Jacksonville. Let us take over your problem of broken pipes and fix them. We have the knowledge and expertise of all types of plumbing systems.

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