What Should You Do When A Water Pipe in Your Home Bursts?
Water pipes can burst for a range of reasons. The pressure inside can build up to a degree that the pipe is unable to contain. Your pipes may also develop some flaws over time, causing gradual deterioration and eventual rupture when they become too weak to sustain the water pressure. Regardless of the cause of the burst, you need to act fast. That's because if your home ends up flooding, it may suffer some considerable damage. A quick knowledgeable response can save you from thousands of repair bills. Therefore, here are the major steps to take when a water pipe in your home bursts.
Turn Off the Water Supply
The first logical step to take when you have this kind of plumbing emergency is to stop the flow of water. It may be tempting to start by locating the burst but this is usually a bad idea because first, this may take some time and even if you find it, it could be relatively big for you to patch it up with something like duct tape. In either instance, more flooding will occur. Therefore, find the main shutoff valve and turn it off. Unfortunately, not many people know where the valve is located. Usually, it will be under your kitchen sink or outside where the main service pipe connects to your home. It's always best to ensure that every member of your household knows the valve's location for faster response to the emergency in case you are not around.
Switch Off Electricity
The impact of water coming into contact with electricity can be devastating. Electric shocks and even electrocutions are some of the potential issues you may have to deal with especially when someone attempts to clean up the wet floors. Therefore, find your mains and switch off the electricity.
It's sometimes debatable regarding what step comes first between turning off the water supply and switching off electricity. The answer could be in the location of your main water shutoff valve as well as the main electrical distribution panel. For instance, if the panel is located somewhere in the hallway and the shutoff valve is outside, you can switch off electricity before you dash outside. On the other hand, if the valve is under your kitchen sink and the panel is in your basement, you can turn off the water supply first.
Drain Your Pipes
Once you complete the above steps, you need to drain water remaining in the pipes. Before you do this, however, remember to call a plumber. Draining water from the pipes prepares them for plumbing work. Turn on all your cold water taps first. You can then turn on the hot water taps but remember to switch off your water heating system first. Also, flush all your toilets.