A burst pipe is a mess that needs immediate attention, and it usually catches you off guard. Sometimes it even happens when you are away from home, and you come back with a flooded floor. A pipe breaks due to weather or changing environmental conditions, corrosion, soil movement and even tree roots pushing further into the soil and causing it to crack.
If a pipe suddenly bursts while you’re doing the dishes, do you know what to do? Here are five steps you can take quickly to protect your home and limit the damage.
1. Turn off the water and electricity
When you find your pipe leaking, turning off your main water supply is the first thing you need to do. The main water shut-off valve is typically somewhere inside the house. You could try looking into crawl spaces or the basement. Alternatively, check outside your property for a metal cap where it is normally located. To avoid running into an emergency situation like this, make sure you find these valves the day you move into your home and that everyone knows where they are so you’re not the only one doing all the things in sigh
If you think the leakage from the busted pipe will reach your electrical sockets, you should also turn off the electricity to keep your family safe. If there is any standing water, mop it off. You can also put rags or a bucket under the sink or in places where there are leaks to prevent the water from reaching other areas of your home and affecting the electrical connections.
2. Drain the faucets
After turning off the main water valve, a faucet should be opened to drain. You can also flush your toilet several times. This will remove the remaining water in the pipe and consequently relieve any pressure cut in it. When there is no more tap water and it is already dry, there is no more water flowing.
3. Find the broken pipe and check the damage
When all the water has been removed, it is important to locate the burst pipe to prevent further damage. You should inspect the damage and check its location before you run out to buy duct tape or a sleeve clamp. Examining it will help you plan for the type of repair or replacement you will need to do. If you consider an expert plumbing service, you will also need to know where the damaged pipe is so that they can quickly work on it upon arrival.
When a large pipe is damaged, it will take more time to repair or replace than that of a single pipe under your sink. If the damage is still small, you can easily patch it with commercial tape. However, it may burst again later and should therefore be inspected by a plumber.
4. Attach the burst pipe
Once you have found the damaged pipe, you need to fix the crack on the pipes. If it’s a small damage, you can still do a quick fix before calling your plumber or considering permanent repairs. However, major damage to the main pipe requires you to immediately seek the help of an expert.
Temporary fixes for a broken pipe include wrapping it with an old garden hose and securing it with hose clamps, taping it with fiberglass pipe tape, plugging the leak with putty multipurpose repair and hose wrap with sleeve clamp. While doing any of these, be sure to wear a protective glove or any necessary protection. If these pipe repairs do not work on your pipe, you will need to replace the line and that means more time under the sink and the plumber on board.
5. Call a plumber
As long as you can do it yourself with confidence, you should call a professional like plumber of Penrith. A professional plumbing service can get your pipe working properly again. These experts have the right tools and equipment to fix any broken pipe. They can also perform a maintenance check on pipes and other connections in your home to ensure that no pipes burst once they leave your property. In addition, professional plumbers can continue to take care of your electrical and gas works.
A clogged water pipe may need to soak your floor before you know it. You can first see warning signs, such as fluctuating water pressure, hissing noises from the pipes and puddles forming under your sink, before serious damage occurs. Even a sudden spike in your bill can tell you that something is wrong with your pipe. At the first sign of a broken pipe, you need to address it quickly so you don’t find yourself in such unfortunate situations. Otherwise, you should take note of these steps and fixes to properly deal with burst pipes.
