Recently, the citizens of Texas found themselves facing unprecedented freezing temperatures that left millions without power for upwards of 24 hours. During this extreme freeze, homeowners made attempts to preserve their plumbing through added insulation and leaving sinks to drip and prevent a freeze in their home water systems.
Unfortunately, even a drip wasn’t enough for many homes to face off against temperatures dipping into the single digits. Some unfortunate homeowners suffered the fate of freezing pipes that eventually burst under pressure and caused substantial damage to their homes and will need emergency plumbing repairs to fix.
If a pipe bursts in your home, here are the steps you need to take to mitigate water damage and get your pipes fixed quickly.
Step 1: Shut Off Your Water Supply
If a pipe inside of your home bursts, water can quickly impact the area around the pipe and spread to other parts of your home. As soon as you notice the burst pipe, take immediate action to prevent flood damage to your property.
Quickly locate your home’s main water shut-off valve and use a water meter key to close it off and stop water in the system from making its way into your home.
Bonus Preparation Tip: If you don’t know where your home’s water meter and shut-off valve are, reach out to a local plumber during the warmer seasons for a general plumbing inspection. They will be able to tell you where your meter is and any other potential plumbing issues you should be aware of.
Step 2: Shut Down Electricity in the Affected Part of the Home
From there, you want to ensure that your family and plumbing professionals stay safe during cleanup and repairs. Head towards your breaker box and turn off the electricity in the affected area of your home.
Water and electricity aren’t friendly and your plumbing emergency can quickly spiral out of control into a deadly fire.
Step 3: Reach Out to Your Insurance Company
As soon as you locate the source of the problem, make sure to call your homeowner’s insurance company. Most policies will cover repairs and replacements involved with a burst pipe.
However, getting a claim approved can take a while, so, getting this process started as soon as possible is imperative.
Step 4: Hire a Licensed Emergency Service Plumber
Finally, you want to reach out to an emergency plumber who can quickly come out and find a solution to your problem. Keep in mind that not every plumber is going to be qualified to handle a plumbing emergency of your magnitude.
Save money, time, and ensure that your family is well taken care of by taking preventative measures and researching 24/7 emergency plumbers in your area.
It’s always better to be prepared and have someone you trust on-hand than to hurriedly pick out the first company in the phonebook and have them be the wrong person for the job.
Step 5: Remove as Much Water as Possible Before Your Plumber Arrives
You’ll want your plumber’s workspace to be as clear as possible. So, between the initial call for help and their estimated arrival time, use towels, mops, and a wet/dry vac to clear up the mess.
Not only does this make your plumber’s job easier, but it prevents water damage that can quickly set in and create contaminants like mold and mildew.
Step 6: Relax and Let Your Plumber Resolve Your Emergency
Once your plumber arrives, they will be able to quickly find the root of your problem and implement a strategy that gets your home back to normal as quickly as possible. Not only will they solve your initial problem, but, if there is substantial water damage, they can also point you towards a trusted water damage restoration company they associate with.
Let Plumbing Dynamics Be There for Your Family During Your Time of Need
If your home suffers from a plumbing emergency like a pipe burst, your family needs a reliable plumbing service on its side.
The team at Plumbing Dynamics is available to respond to plumbing emergencies at any time of the day or night and has the experience to quickly resolve any issue. Contact us today to have your plumbing needs met by Dallas’s most trusted plumber.
