Blog Post

Water Damage Tips – What To Do After a Water Pipe Bursts

Posted by: 1st Call Disaster Services
Posted on: Friday August 3, 2018 at 11:47 AM
Water Damage Tips – What To Do After a Water Pipe Bursts

When property owners have water damage, a lot of the times it's because of a pipe bursting. It could be because the pipes froze or the pipe was just very, very old and failed. Time is of the essence when discovering a pipe burst so let's get to fixing it!

High Volume Pipe Bursts

  • Shut off the main valve that controls all water getting into your property.
  • Open all faucets to get remaining water out of the plumbing system.
  • Don't use electrical devices (switches, lights sockets, and shop vacs, etc.).
  • Remove furniture and anything else of value from the area that is being affected especially soft goods (textiles, paper products, etc); If items are not removable or are too large to move out of the area, place a square of plastic beneath the legs or a block of wood to elevate them out of the water
  • Call al restoration specialist. They can also refer you to a good plumber.

Slower Leaks

Not all pipe bursts are gushers! You may notice damp carpets or low water pressure. Your plumbing system may start to make some strange noises. You could start to have some electrical problems.

  • Shut off the valve that provides water to the leaking area of your plumbing
  • Don't use electrical devices (switches, lights sockets, SHOPVACs, etc.).
  • Remove furniture and anything else of value from the area that is being affected.
  • You will have more damage than meets the eye…it will only be detectable with meters that detect hidden water damage, call 1st Call Disaster Services for plumber sources.
  • If you do have visible damage call 1st Call Disaster Services. They can utilize equipment and instruments to find or verify the severity of the situation and advise you on filing or claim with your insurance OR NOT.

Quick Fixes for Pipe Ruptures

The following are some quick fixes that can minimize the damage a pipe burst can leave you. It will give some time to call a restoration service.

  • Use Duct Tape – If the leak is a pinhole leak then duct tape may work. Wrap the pipe near the pinhole leak. Electrical tape works as well. Just remember it is a band-aid method to slow the leak!
  • Use a C-clamp – Get a block of wood and some rubber and fasten it to the pipe with a c-clamp. Make it snug but not so tight to crush the pipe.
  • Use a Sleeve Clamp – Wrap the pipe with the gasket material and then surround it with both sections of the sleeve clamp. Tighten the screws.

All of these solutions are temporary fixes and you'll need a permanent fix to get back to normal.