Burst Pipe? 9 Steps to Reduce the Damage

It’s the middle of the night and you’re sound asleep when you hear a loud crash coming from your basement. You rush downstairs to find water gushing out from under the bathroom door. What do you do? If you’re like most people, you probably don’t know where to start. Water damage can be a huge disaster for a family, and an expensive one to repair. In this blog post, we will discuss 11 steps that will help minimize the damage caused by a burst pipe!

Turn off the water

If you have a burst pipe, the first thing you should do is turn off the water at the main shut-off valve. This will stop water flow into your home and give you time to assess the damage. Next, you’ll want to call a professional plumber to come and take a look at the situation. Once they’ve repaired the pipe, you can start the cleanup process.

Clear out the area ASAP

One of the most important things you can do is to remove any standing water from your home as soon as possible. This will help prevent further damage to your floors, walls, and furniture. You can use a wet/dry vacuum or mop to get rid of the water. Just be sure to wring out the mop head often to avoid spreading the water around.

Dry out the room

Note down what has been damaged

You should also make a list of all items that could potentially be damaged by the water. This includes electronics, clothing, and any other valuables. This list will be of use when you are contacting your insurance company if you need something replaced or repaired.

Disinfect if needed

Once your home is dry, you’ll need to start cleaning and disinfecting all of the surfaces that have been affected by the water. This includes walls, floors, cabinets, countertops, and upholstered furniture. Be sure to use a cleaner designed for disinfecting and a mildewcide to help prevent mold and mildew growth.

Dry out loose items

After you’ve cleaned and disinfected all of the surfaces in your home, you’ll need to start thinking about drying out any wet items. This includes clothing, linens, books, documents, and anything else that has been soaked in the water. You can either hang these items to dry or place them in a dehumidifier.

Mold prevention

Once everything is dry, you’ll need to focus on preventing mold and mildew growth. This can be done by making sure that your home is well-ventilated and by using a mold inhibitor. You should also consider replacing any carpeting or upholstered furniture that has been damaged by the water.

Call your insurance contact

Lastly, you should take the list and the information you’ve gathered to contact your insurance company. They will be able to help you determine what is covered and what needs to be replaced.

Make preparations

One of the most important things you can do to reduce the damage caused by a burst pipe is to make preparations ahead of time. This means knowing where your shut-off valves are, and how to turn them off quickly in case of an emergency. It also means having a contingency plan in place for dealing with water damage. By being prepared, you can minimize the amount of water damage that occurs, and make it easier to clean up afterward.

Conclusion

By following these 9 steps, you can help reduce the damage caused by a burst pipe in your home. Just remember to act quickly and to call a professional if you’re unsure of how to proceed. With a little bit of effort, you can get your home back to normal in no time!

Do you have any tips for reducing water damage? Share them with us in the comments below! And if you’re in need of a professional plumber, be sure to check out our website for recommendations. We’re here to help! Burst pipes are never fun, but we hope this blog post has helped you know

Sources:
https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/winter-storm/frozen-pipes.html
https://disastersafety.org/winter-weather/protect-your-home-from-severe-winter-weather/