Steps to take when faced with water damage from a pipe burst

8/24/2022 (Permalink)

Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Hurst-Euless-Bedford outlines what to do when you experience water damage from a pipe burst.

Unfortunate events like a burst pipe can mess a lot of things up at home. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do if your Hurst home experiences water damage from a pipe bust.

The professionals at SERVPRO of Hurst-Euless-Bedford have outlined the following steps to handle water damage from pipe bursts.

1. Cut off your electrical power

Ensure your home's electrical systems are off to prevent electrocution. Avoid wading over standing water when the power is on.

Look for the main switch on the exterior of your property, or contact an electrician if water is obstructing your access to your breaker box.

2. Turn off water mains

When you discover a busted pipe, you must turn off your water immediately. You have a better chance of minimizing water damage if you can do this quickly.

Your home's main water shut-off valve is probably in the basement, in a crawl space, or next to the water heater.

3. Drain taps

After the water has been turned off, unlock your faucets to let the water that is still in your pipes run out. In addition to releasing pressure from your pipe system, this can help prevent mold and mildew from growing on the faucet itself.

Turn off the water heater and drain the water in it, followed by the cold water. Flush the toilets several times to completely empty the water in them.

4. Document damages

Document everything carefully in case you need to file an insurance claim. Take close-up pictures of the pipes and any other damaged objects or regions. Use a ruler to depict water levels in illustrations.

Take pictures from several perspectives; the more evidence you have, the better. You might even want to record a video of the leak before you turn off the water mains.

5. Clean up the water

Microbes will develop and cause dangerous mold and mildew if water is left standing for too long. You should dry out your home as soon as possible to prevent long-term damage.

Simply opening the windows and switching on fans may not be sufficient, and you will need to contact a water damage restoration company.

6. Recover Important Items

Get your belongings from the affected areas in your home. Prioritize things that are hard to replace or expensive to replace when recovering water-damaged objects, such as vital documents, cherished mementos, computers, and TVs. 

7. Clean up to prevent mold growth

Clean and disinfect anything that has come into contact with the water leak to prevent mold growth. Depending on the level of water damage to your property, you should also consider hiring mold prevention and restoration professionals.

These specialists have the right equipment to detect dampness behind walls and under the flooring to ensure the house is free of mold and lingering water damage.

8. Contact an experienced water damage restoration professional

Calling a water damage restoration service is one of the best things to do when faced with a pipe bust or other water damage issues. These restoration professionals will quickly come to your home and work to restore it to its previous state. They'll clean off the water and dry off your property and belongings.

Get Professional Water Damage Restoration Services in Hurst

SERVPRO of Hurst-Euless-Bedford offers comprehensive cleaning, water removal, document and content drying and restoration, and dehumidification, among other services, for residential and business clients in Hurst, TX.

They can assist you with any water-related damage, including those caused by pipe busts, storms, hurricanes, roof leaks, water contamination, basement floods, sewage backups, and more.

Their team of restoration specialists will test your home to ensure that all impacted areas have been thoroughly dried. The customer care staff can collaborate directly with your insurance company to ensure a seamless claims process.

SERVPRO of Hurst-Euless-Bedford is just a call away. Contact them today at (817) 595-0004 to get started.