It is not an unfamiliar question to ponder regarding what to do if a frozen pipe bursts in your home.
A burst pipe can cause extensive damage to your home and valuables and can be costly, upward to $1000s. Understanding the necessary steps to take if a frozen pipe bursts in your home is essential.
This article will provide the necessary information on handling a frozen pipe bursting incident to prevent further damage.
You will learn what immediate steps need to be taken and practical tips on preventing this from happening again.
Pipe Burst Can Damage Your House
Frozen pipe bursts can cause serious damage to your home, resulting in costly repairs and potential health hazards. Be aware of the risks associated with frozen pipes and take steps to protect your property.
When the water inside a pipe freezes, it expands and causes pressure that can eventually lead to a burst.
In most cases, the burst will occur at the weakest point in the pipe, such as where two pieces are joined together or where there is an existing crack.
This can cause significant amounts of water to be released into your home, causing extensive damage from flooding and mold growth.
Additionally, if the rupture happens near electrical wiring, it could also lead to fire damage.
What to do if a frozen pipe bursts in your home
If a frozen pipe bursts in your home, it can cause significant damage to your property and leave you with a hefty repair bill. Knowing what steps to take if you experience a frozen pipe burst is essential to avoid costly repairs and damages.
Step 1: Shut Off Water Supply
The first thing you should do is shut off the main water supply for your house. This will help stop further flooding and minimize the damage caused by the bursting pipe.
If you cannot locate the main shutoff valve due to excessive flooding, call an emergency plumber immediately, who can turn off the water.
Step 2: Drain & Thaw the Pipe
Once all standing water has been removed, begin thawing the frozen pipe using hot air or warm towels while continuously checking for any leaking points along the broken section of the pipe.
Step 3: Repair/Replace the Pipe
Assess whether you need to repair or replace the pipe entirely—depending on how bad the damage is and how much time and money you are willing to invest into repairing it. If there is extensive damage, then replacing the entire pipe may be necessary for it to function again.
The Clean-Up Process
Water damage can be a daunting experience, and one of the most common causes is due to frozen pipes. When a frozen pipe bursts, it can cause significant damage to your home or office. However, you can take steps to clean up the water damage caused by a burst pipe.
First, in the water clean-up process, turn off the main water supply as soon as possible.
After that, every item affected by the flooding needs to be removed from the premises for drying and cleaning purposes.
Any furniture or rugs must be taken outside to air dry in the sun before being brought back into the building.
Next, all exposed surfaces must be washed with warm water mixed with disinfectant, and all surrounding areas should be vacuumed thoroughly with a wet/dry vacuum cleaner.
Allow the area to fully dry
Call a professional to fix the burst pipe.
Call A Professional If You Have Experiences Frozen Pipes Burst
Wintertime brings many dangers to your home, including a frozen pipe burst. This can cause serious damage to both the structure and contents of your house and create an expensive repair bill if not addressed promptly.
If you live in an area with cold winters, it’s essential to be aware of potential risks from freezing temperatures—like a frozen pipe burst.
The best thing to do if you don't know what to do if a frozen pipe bursts in your home, is to call a professional.
If you experience a frozen or burst pipe, you must contact a professional water damage restoration company immediately.
We have the tools and expertise needed to locate hidden water sources and dry out your home quickly before secondary damage can occur due to mold or mildew.
Additionally, we can assess any structural damage caused by the water and will help with making repairs as well as filing an insurance claim if necessary.