It’s 3:00 a.m. You’re sound asleep, and then BOOM! a water pipe bursts. This is never a convenient situation, and it can cause many people who have never dealt with it to panic. After all, what do you do when a water pipe suddenly bursts in your home? Call a plumber? Call a water damage company?
As a water restoration company, we can tell you the steps to take if this should happen to you. Hopefully it never does—but just in case, this is what you should do.
Step #1: Shut Off Water
Go to your main valve and turn the water off. They usually have a stop tap on them. It’s good to know where your water main is in case of emergencies, so if you don’t already know, find out. It could be anywhere from your garage to an area farther away. Shutting it off will stop the water flow. If the pipe that has burst is a hot water pipe, close the valve that’s on top of the water heater.
Step #2: Remove Any Nearby Electronics
If there’s anything electric plugged in near the burst pipe, immediately unplug it from the socket and move it away. This will prevent risk of a fire.
Step #3: Call A Professional Immediately
Very often, the problem with this is that it’s after work hours. Finding a 24-hour service to handle an emergency can be tough, but emergency water damage companies do exist, like Pro Restoration. Make sure whoever you have come out is fully licensed and qualified.
Step #4: Clean Up What You Can
While you’re waiting for the specialist to arrive, clean up as much of the water as you possibly can. If there’s still water leaking, place a bucket or container under it to catch water.
Step #5: Have Someone Check Everything Out
If there’s significant water damage, it’s extremely important to the health of your home that you have it examined by a water damage professional. It’s also a good idea to have an electrician check to make sure that no electrical aspects of your home were damaged. A restoration company can do all of this for you. The most important thing is to make sure whoever checks these things for you is a certified expert. If they aren’t, and they miss something, you are liable to greatly damage your home.
Step #6: File An Insurance Claim
You’ll need to contact your insurance company immediately to begin an insurance claim for the damage. Taking photos is always a smart idea, and your insurance agent may visit your home to assess the damage. A good restoration company will often deal with the insurance agent for you.
For more on burst water pipes, watch this video from State Farm:
At Pro Restoration, we are experts at handling water damage, mold remediation, and all sorts of damage control. if you’re anywhere near the Las Vegas, Henderson, or Clark County area and you’re in need of a restoration company, we’re your team. We offer 24-hour emergency services, and we will work with your insurance agency to take care of you. For more information on us, please read our reviews or feel free to contact us anytime!