Steps to Take If a Pipe Bursts in Your Home | SERVPRO® of Anaheim Central/Garden Grove East

8/11/2021 (Permalink)

Use these Helpful Tips to Protect your Home in the Event of a Pipe Burst.

Burst pipes follow no schedule, so they are something that can happen when you least expect it and take you by surprise. Not only can burst pipes cause quite a bit of damage, but because they are so unexpected, it can be difficult to know how to react when you do discover that a pipe has burst in your home.

Though we all hope that we will never be unlucky enough to experience this, many people are surprised by how common it actually is. About one in 50 households will have water damage issues in any given year, which is why it is important to have a plan in place in case it happens to you. In the event of water damage, taking action quickly is the best thing you can do.

Taking Action Quickly If a Pipe Bursts in Your Home

Shut off your water main. Depending on the pipe that bursts, there will often be water gushing from it continually as it drains, so knowing how to find and shut off your water main is important. Only shut off your water if it is safe to do so.

Shut off your electricity. If it is safe to get to your circuit breaker, shut off the electricity in the home. This will ensure that the water cannot interact with any outlets or electrical supplies and cause secondary issues in the home.

Contact your restoration company. Setting your restoration in motion quickly is one of the best things you can do for water damage, so it is wise to get in touch with your restoration company right away. We recommend always choosing a company that is available ²⁴⁄₇ so you never have to wait for a call back when you report your damages.

Take a record of the damages. Keeping track of what is damaged is not only helpful for you as you can determine what items were impacted, but it can also be helpful if you are able to file an insurance claim. Document the damage with photos, videos and lists so you can keep track of what the water impacted.

Contact your insurance company. Every insurance policy is different, so getting in touch with your provider is the best way to determine if you will be eligible to file a claim and have some of the damages covered.

Open windows and doors if possible. If it is safe to do so and the weather permits, opening windows and doors around the impacted area can increase airflow, thus speeding evaporation and decreasing overall drying time.

If you have water damage in your home due to a burst pipe or another cause, you can count on us for restoration assistance. Contact us at any time to learn more about our restoration services.