Household flooding is often brought on by burst water pipes and not mainly by a clogged sewer line or excessive rain; Although they can also result in flooded interiors. If pipelines, connections, or valves develop deformation or crevices due to freezing weather or other problems, water may start to pour down through the ceilings and walls or collect in the basement within minutes.
Quick, prompt action is essential in dealing with interior flooding. But regarding the effects of water damage, time is of the utmost significance; the earlier you try to resolve it, the lesser the damage would be. Let’s look into some effective solutions for burst pipe flooding issues.
What Leads to Pipe Bursts?
Pipes can rupture for a variety of reasons, including cold weather. The water inside frozen pipes is one cause of pipe bursts. Water that has frozen expands, bursting pipes as a result. Water typically freezes about 32 degrees, but it can also happen in warmer weather under the appropriate conditions. Although we are aware that freezes are not common in Austin, they do occur occasionally.
Older buildings will have galvanized metal pipes that are prone to bursting because of silt buildup. PVC, PEX, or copper pipes are used in more recent houses. Your pipes’ movement and foundation settlement can also lead to pipe bursts. If the pipe connections are not properly sealed or joined with the right tools and materials, they may also fail.
Apart from this, an improper installation can lead to issues. Always research your plumber by checking internet reviews or requesting referrals from friends and family before hiring them. Make sure to inquire about any applicable warranties when having pipes installed.
8 Things to Do When Your Home Is Flooded
1. Turn off your electricity
Make sure all of your home’s electrical systems are off to avoid electric shocks and short circuits. When the power is on, avoid wading over standing water. If you are unable to access the breaker box, search for the main shutdown on the outside of your property or contact an electrician as soon as possible.
2. Turn off the main valve of the water system
Since the flooding is the result of a burst pipe, you should be able to halt the problem at the source rather easily. That won’t be the case with a flood caused by heavy rainfall. So, simply switch off the major water supply valve. Most houses have a valve connected to or next to the water meter, which would be occasionally buried close to the street. Certain other homes have a valve situated close to the point where the main water connection enters your home.
3. Recover as much as you can from the flooded area
Even if water damage happens fairly immediately, you might still be able to pick up certain items off the floor. For instance, try to move important items toward the top of the building that might not yet be wet. The chances are high for the floor of your basement to get affected easily.
4. Contact your insurance provider
The homeowner’s insurance coverage most likely covers the water damage. Informing the insurer of the incident is the first step in the claims procedure. Ask your insurer if a claims adjuster has to visit your home before you start cleaning up and repairing to ensure your claim is successful.
5. Keep track of everything
It’s usually a smart idea to thoroughly record all the damage to your property for your insurance claim, regardless of what your insurer advises. Document all that is affected by the water, from goods to the structure of your home, with images and videos captured with your phone.
6. Get rid of stagnant water
If the water is mostly in your basement and there is a drain, you might be able to use a mop and bucket to force water down the drain. Once most of the floodwater has been eliminated, begin eliminating water from more difficult-to-reach spots using a wet-dry vacuum.
7. Contact a water damage repair business
At this stage, the majority of homeowners call in a water cleanup professional to handle the mess. Find a provider that can respond soon and start cleaning right away to prevent mould from growing. You might investigate reviews or ask your insurance provider for advice on a reliable contractor.
8. Begin to dry out your house on your own
You can start drying out your house while you wait for the contractor to start by taking the following actions: You can do this by opening windows to let humid air out, turning on as several dehumidifiers as you can, and alternating your HVAC system to draw moisture into the room and then eliminates it. To hasten the drying process, you can rent industrial-sized blowers and dehumidifiers. Also, it’s crucial to treat water damage like mould and mildew carefully and immediately because they frequently outweigh the initial property damage. It can have long-lasting repercussions on the water quality and health if it is not properly handled.
Steps to Prevent Burst Pipe Flooding
To prevent your pipes from bursting, there are a number of things you can do.
1. Insulate your home’s plumbing: Maintain indoor air quality by insulating your home. Insulation keeps the outside cold from entering your home. Your pipes can also be insulated. You can do this with the aid of your neighbourhood licensed plumber.
2. Maintain the heat even when you are not home: When individuals go on vacation, it’s especially typical to leave the thermostat in a low setting to save money. Maintaining your furnace at a normal temperature is far cheaper than dealing with water damage. While you’re away, keep the heat on to prevent pipes from freezing. Many advise against allowing your home’s temperature to fall below roughly 60 degrees.
3. Check and fix your water heater promptly: Always put your water heater first on the list when it comes to routine maintenance. Water heater explosions can harm your home and adjacent structures besides the miserable chilly winter showers.
4. Repair any broken plumbing: Pipes wear out eventually and won’t last forever. Leaks and corrosion indicate the necessity for replacement. Get the repairs finished prior to the onset of winter, as that is a more demanding season for plumbing.
5. Keep the doors of the kitchen and bathroom cupboards open: It may seem insignificant, but keeping the cupboards open lets warm air from your home warm the pipes. So make sure you do it once in a while.
Preventing leaks and floods is vital both before and after they happen. Pipe bursts are frequent in regions with cold climates and can result in significant flooding damage. Before it’s too late, you must assess the risk and take precautions to prevent this kind of leak. If you’re lucky, you’ll only have a minor leak. Take action right away to prevent the issue from getting worse. Before things get out of hand, have the leak checked out and fixed by a qualified plumber.