What to do when a pipe breaks.

7/3/2020 (Permalink)

Cold winter weather can be hard on overexposed pipes. Water expands when it freezes, which can increase the pressure in pipes and cause them to burst. If a pipe bursts on your property, you'll want to act fast to prevent as much damage as you can.

1.) Turn off your water main.

The first thing that you should do if a pipe bursts is turn off your water main.  This will turn off your water supply for the whole house, which will stop the pipe from causing any more water damage. 

2.) Drain your faucets and toilets.

Once the water main is turned off, you should run your faucets to flush out any remaining water. Additionally, you should flush your toilets until the excess water is gone too. This will aid in relieving any pressure from your pipes to minimize any more damage. 

3.) Turn off your heating system.

You will want to also turn off your heating system and drain the water from all of your hot water taps. 

4.) Take pictures of any water damage.

At this point, all of your water should be shut off and drained. This will keep any further damage from occurring. You'll want to take as many pictures as you can of any damaged interior or items as you 

5.) Clean up as much water as you can.

Dry up as much water as you can to prevent any further damage. Moist environments promote mold growth, so you'll want to be sure to eliminate any wet surfaces if possible. However, if the water is contaminated, you'll want to wait for a professional to professional (this can be a health hazard).

SERVPRO of Lincoln specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. We can handle any size disaster!

Call us at 402.466.4004