Take Quick Action for a Burst Pipe

The pipes in your plumbing system usually transport water where needed without issue. Sometimes they might clog or leak, but on the rare occasion, the pipe might burst. This occurs when the metal of the pipe breaks or dislodges, allowing water to flow freely into the building.

You will often see large puddles of water or notice water pressure issues if this plumbing emergency occurs. You should take prompt action to protect your building, avoid high utility costs, and get your plumbing back on track. Read on to learn four steps you should take urgently if a pipe bursts on your residential or commercial property.

What to Do If a Pipe Bursts

Shut Off the Water Main

If you suspect you have a burst pipe, you will first need to shut off the water supply on your property. Otherwise, water will continue to flow and flood your building. Your home likely has a clearly marked valve near the HVAC system that controls the water main.

Turn this valve off to stop water from continuing to pass through pipes that cannot hold the water. Then to make sure water is completely cleared from your system, turn on a faucet at a sink to allow water to drain from the pipes. This will clear the system of leftover water, making sure it flows safely into a drain rather than a puddle on your floor.

Call an Emergency Plumber

Once the water is turned off in your plumbing system, call your plumber as soon as you can. Let them know about the burst pipe as well as how much of a mess you have noticed. Guardian Plumbing in Annapolis, MD offers 24-hour rapid response services to make sure you can contact a plumbing expert at any time of day.

In emergency situations like a burst pipe, your plumber will be there as soon as they can. They can also provide instructions on how to keep your home safe in the meantime. They will repair the issue and provide you with a quote so that you know what to expect from their services.

Circulate Air on Your Property

After you contact your plumber, you should try to encourage air circulation in the area of the burst pipe. Open doors and windows to allow airflow to keep the pipes and your building as dry as possible. If you have fans, try using these too, but make sure to keep electronics away from water.

Pipes can often burst due to freezing. If this plumbing emergency occurs during cold weather, crank up your heating to warm up your pipes. This will prevent further breakage in your plumbing.

Clean Excess Water

Before the plumber arrives, you can use this time to clean up as much of the puddles and water accumulation in your building as you can. Use a mop and bucket or spare towels to get rid of standing water.

Water can quickly damage the structure of a building, so eliminate excess moisture as much as possible. This will lower your risk of developing mold on the property.