Nothing throws a household into panic quite like a burst pipe. Returning home from work or a family day out to water gushing out of a pipe into your home can be stressful to stay the least, and it can be hard to stay calm in such a moment of panic.
A burst water pipe can cause a lot of damage, which is not only inconvenient but it can be extremely costly to repair too. Knowing what to do if a pipe bursts in your home is important and can save you a whole lot of stress and extra damage.
Turn off the main water supply
The first thing you should do if you return home to water gushing out of a pipe is turn off the main water supply. The main stopcock looks like a brass valve with a circular handle and can usually be found under the sink in your kitchen.
Turning off the main water supply prevents the flow of any further cold water coming into your property.
Work out the source of the burst
If you turn off the stopcock and the rush of water doesn’t stop or there’s still a constant flow, the problem may be within the water storage system itself rather than the water system or pipes. The water storage system is often located in a tank inside your loft or attic. This tank can be emptied by turning all the cold water taps on in your property and flushing the toilet several times. To drain the hot water, turn off the central heating and your water heater then turn on all the hot water taps.
Call a professional
A burst pipe requires the attention of a professional. As soon as you’ve turned off the main water supply and stopped the flow of water, you should get in touch with an emergency plumber. It’s also important to contact your insurance agent as soon as possible so they can start the claims process and repairs can be organised immediately.
At Water Damage Repairs, we understand how devastating flood or water damage can be to your home, but don’t worry, help is at hand from our team of water damage professionals. We specialise in surveying water damage, presenting an insurance claim on your behalf and completing repairs to the highest standard. To learn more about us, visit our website.