There are many reasons why a pipe might burst and start leaking water: expanding and contracting because of freezing temperatures, old age, and even changes in the soil and tree roots around them can all cause a burst.
However, regardless of the cause, homeowners need to act quickly whenever a pipe bursts. When you take less time to clean up after a sudden water leak, it’s easier to keep the damages at a minimum. Follow these five tips for broken pipe flood cleanup to help restore your home to normal.
Prevent Further Damage
If a pipe has burst somewhere in the house, it is crucial to prevent further damage. Find the source of the burst immediately, and while you might not be able to fix it right then and there, you can prevent any more water from flowing out. It’s essential to turn off the water source first.
Water damage isn’t the only problem you need to worry about during a broken pipe flood cleanup. Homeowners need to be wary of any electrical appliances or outlets near the burst pipe. It’s a good idea to shut off the power supply when a pipe bursts nearby due to how dangerous electrical hazards can be.
Prepare for Insurance Claims
Before beginning a broken pipe flood cleanup, it’s beneficial to gather evidence of how much damage occurred. Giving your insurance company a detailed account of the extent of damage will be useful when filing a claim. To that end, take photos, write down notes, and even record a video with your phone to collect as much evidence as possible.
Protect Your Furniture
When it comes to broken pipe flood cleanup, time is of the essence. The faster you remove furniture and rugs from the affected area, the less water they’ll absorb. Doing so will increase the chances you’ll be able to save water-damaged furniture and not have to discard them, so it’s in your best interest to bring them to a safe and dry room as quickly as you can. Once everything is relocated, increase the airflow to the area by opening windows and turning on electrical fans to their highest setting, so they dry out quicker.
Clean Up the Affected Area
Now that you’ve taken care of the furniture, it’s time to clean up the mess. Extracting the water as fast as you are able is critical for preventing lasting damage in that area, so make haste to bucket out the water. However, using a pump or special vacuum is much faster and more efficient if there is any standing water. If you don’t own that equipment or if the affected area is too great, call your local ServiceMaster. They have professional water extraction equipment to get the job done. After the water is removed, or if the amount that spilled was minimal, use towels to clean up the remaining dampness.
Once the water’s been removed, help the area dry out. The same drying methods mentioned before can be used. One of the most effective ways to improve the drying process is by using a dehumidifier, as it will remove excess moisture from the air.
Next, you should disinfect the area, even if the water pipe that burst was the supply line. You can use a mild cleaning detergent to take care of surfaces, but a bleach mixture is best for more extensive cleaning. Disinfecting the wet area will also help prevent the growth of mold and bacteria. Additionally, you may need to use baking soda or other cleaning methods to remove any odors on carpeting or fabric.
Call ServiceMaster to Help at Any Point
Fixing the broken water pipe that burst might be too difficult for some homeowners. You may need to call a professional plumber to mend or replace the broken pipe. It’s also likely you’ll need an expert when water enters the subfloor and walls of the affected room, and even more so if the burst pipe damage extends to multiple parts of the house.
If you have any large repairs you need help with during a broken pipe flood cleanup, call ServiceMaster Restore. Our professional restoration company offers 24 hr services whenever there’s an emergency. Additionally, our experts offer various other services, including fire damage restoration in Reading, PA. For more information and to schedule an appointment, reach out to ServiceMaster Restore today.
