Do you own a home? If so, you understand there are a million things that can go wrong. And one of the worst is when a pipe breaks.
Water leaks on your floor from a broken pipe can be a nightmare. The house can flood. This is dangerous because it can also lead to an electrical hazard.
But this type of situation doesn’t have to always lead to disaster. In this article, we take a look at some steps you can take to keep things from getting out of control the next time there’s a busted water pipe. Keep reading to learn what to do.
First, Shut Off the Water
When you notice that a pipe has burst, the first thing you need to do is locate the water valve to shut off the flow to that pipe. There’s a lot of pressure through water pipes, so the water will continue pouring out until the valve is closed.
Cutting the flow is a quick and easy process if you know where the valve is located. So do yourself a favor and locate the valves in your home ahead of time so that you can act quickly when the moment calls for it.
Call a Plumber ASAP
The moment you have the water turned off, go ahead and get on the phone with a plumber. It could take plumbers a while to get there, so the sooner you get them notified and headed your way, the better.
Cap the Leak
Keep in mind that any remaining water inside the pipe will continue to spill out as long as there’s an opening. So you’ll need to cap the open end of the pipe.
Your best bet is to use a piece of rubber and a rubber band. Simply place the rubber over the opening and snap the rubber band around it to hold it in place. You can also place a block of wood over the opening before the rubber and then clamp it to the pipe.
Get Rid of the Water on the Floor
Now that the water is turned off and the leaking pipe is capped, go ahead and start clearing out any standing water. Use a bucket to scoop up in the deeper areas, then you can then switch to a mop and bucket. Once all standing water is successfully removed, use towels to begin soaking up whatever moisture remains.
Open Doors and Windows
Open any nearby doors and windows. This allows air to circulate so the area will dry faster.
Turn on Fans
If you have pedestal fans, place them near the wet areas. This will help to better circulate the air in the room.
What to do When a Pipe Breaks
Pipe breaks can be a major headache. If you don’t act quickly, you could experience flooding that leads to expensive water damage. The key is to know what to do when this happens. The tips contained in this article can help. So be prepared, and you can turn a near disaster into a minor inconvenience.
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