Burst Pipe Repair
Steps to Take When You Find a Burst Pipe
A burst pipe is usually a sign you need a plumber. Still, there are steps you can take to help avoid the damage caused by water leaking into your home.
- Shut off the water. All homes have main and localized shut-off valves. If you can’t immediately locate the leak turn off the water to your home using the main shut-off valve. You can use the localized shut-off to isolate the damaged pipe after you get flooding under control.
- Open a faucet. Turning on a faucet after you cut off the main water supply will release any remaining pressure in the system.
- Call your plumber. Once you target and stop the source of the water, it’s time to call in professional help. Contact your plumber and describe the problem in as much detail as possible.
- Locate the leak. If you can determine where the water is coming from, your plumber will be able to repair it more quickly. You may also be able to apply a temporary fix if your plumber can’t get to you immediately.
- Clean up standing water. Depending on how much water you’re dealing with, it’s time to grab buckets, a mop, or your trusty shop vac to remove standing water before it soaks into structural materials.
- Turn on the heat. Water damage can occur quickly. Turning on your heat and/or fans can help dry out floors, walls, and carpets before permanent damage occurs.
Signs of a Slow Leak
A burst water pipe can quickly release gallons of water into your home. Other leaks can be harder to see. A small water leak can go unnoticed for months, potentially causing damage to your home. Learning the signs of water damage can help you spot water leaks and get them repaired before they cause major damage.
These signs can alert you to a water leak.
- Higher water bills: When your water bills are going up but you’re not using more water, you may have a hidden leak.
- Mold or mildew: Mold can cause respiratory issues and irritate allergies. It is caused by standing water and extra moisture from leaky pipes.
- Musty smell in your home: Hidden leaks behind walls or ceilings may not show damage immediately. A musty smell that seemingly has no cause, could indicate water damage you can’t see.
- Reduced water pressure: A sudden decrease in water pressure when no other fixtures are being used can indicate a leak somewhere in the system.
- Stained ceilings: Dark spots on the ceiling are a common sign of water damage. If the stains are located on a first-floor ceiling, the water damage is likely coming from an upstairs bathroom. Stained ceilings don’t happen immediately, so when you see this sign, it’s time to locate the problem ASAP.
- Damaged floors: Bathroom floors that are stained, warped, or have spongy spots likely have leaks under the floor. Loose kitchen tiles are an indicator of similar problems in the kitchen.
- Blistered paint or wallpaper: A leak inside the walls that goes unchecked for a long time can lead to wall damage.
- The sound of running water: If you can hear water running or spraying when none of your faucets are being used, it’s time to locate the sound because you likely have a hidden leak.
Complete Repairs to Your Florida Plumbing System to Avoid Repeat Leaks
Unfortunately, emergencies rarely occur during business hours, and plumbing emergencies are no exception. Whether your plumbing emergency occurs in the middle of the night or while you’re at work, you may be able to get things under control on your own. While you may be able to temporarily repair your leaky pipe with a clamp, it’s not a long-term fix. Leaks often occur in old or damaged pipes, and short-term repairs are likely to fail without warning. Getting your damaged pipes repaired immediately should be a top priority.
If you live in the Palm Beach, Florida area, and you’re facing a plumbing emergency, the experts at Red Rooter can help. Burst pipes are not an easy problem to fix, and our team understands that you don’t need to face a difficult plumbing problem alone. At Red Rooter Plumbing, we treat our customers like family. We’re on time for every appointment and offer emergency plumbing services to residents in Palm Beach and the surrounding South Florida area.
Call us at (561) 462-2724 for fast, reliable emergency plumbing services! Find your local Red Rooter today for fast, reliable emergency plumbing services in your area!