A burst pipe in winter can send any homeowner into panic mode. While calling a plumber should be on your to-do list, knowing how to handle this emergency can prevent extensive water damage and save you money.
A burst pipe requires quick thinking to protect your home. We'll guide you through the best course of action and explain how to assess the situation and start the clean-up process.
Signs Your Pipes May Be Frozen
Catching frozen pipes early helps prevent costly damage. When you spot the warning signs, you have time to act before serious problems develop.
- If you turn on a faucet and no water flows, ice might be blocking your pipes.
- For pipes in crawl spaces or under sinks, look for frost on the surface.
- You may notice a bad smell coming from your drain if a pipe has frozen, not allowing waste to drain properly.
If you spot any of these signs, contact Dutch Enterprises right away. Our plumbers will help you tackle the problem before significant damage occurs.
How To Address a Burst Pipe
In very cold temperatures, frozen pipes can become a big, expensive problem if they break. Here's what to do immediately after realizing a pipe has burst in your home:
- Shut Off the Water Supply: Quickly turn off the main water shut-off valve. This halts the water supply to your home, which can reduce the water pressure on your pipes, preventing more damage.
- Drain Faucets: Open all faucets to drain water, which helps thaw the pipe and relieves pressure, reducing the risk that more will burst.
- Remove Electronics: If water is near electrical appliances or electronic devices, remove them from the area immediately.
Next, you need to locate and assess the damage from the burst pipe. This can be easier said than done since most breaks occur where they’re not immediately visible, like behind walls, ceilings, and floors.
Start with the following:
- Find the Burst Pipe: Typically, pipes in colder areas of your home are more prone to freezing. Those that are located along exterior walls, especially walls with little insulation, are the most susceptible to bursting.
- Inspect for Damage: Look closely at the pipe if you can. Minor damage might be temporarily manageable. However, cracks, dislodged pipes, or corrosion requires repiping by a skilled plumber.
While you can tackle these initial steps on your own, it's important to know when to call a professional for help. Burst pipe repair isn't an easy task. At Dutch Enterprises, we handle burst pipes across Southeast Missouri every winter, and we're ready to help you, too!
Initial Clean Up
Acting quickly can minimize water damage from a burst pipe. While you have the water shut off and are waiting for a plumber to arrive, here’s what you can do:
- Soak Up the Water: Use towels or a wet-dry vacuum to clean up any water in your home.
- Document Damage: Capture pictures of the damage for your insurance provider.
- Take Note of Areas With Water Damage: Unfortunately, one of the main issues that can occur after a pipe breaks is mold growth. You may need help from a professional to clean up the affected areas. Until then, use a dehumidifier and space heater to help dry out the space.
How To Avoid a Pipe Bursting in Winter
You can do a lot to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting with these steps:
- Use pipe insulation
- Keep your home warm
- Do regular inspections (especially in colder areas) for early signs of freezing
When To Call a Professional
While there are many ways to prevent frozen pipes, sometimes the problem is almost unavoidable when the cold weather rolls in. If you can't thaw frozen pipes quickly, you should call a plumber before serious damage occurs.
If you have a suspected leak, contact a professional as soon as possible. Not all leaks or breaks are visible. Sometimes they can occur behind your walls and not give you any warning signs. If you think there might be weak areas in your pipes or you notice a damp spot growing on your wall, ceiling, or floor, turn off the water and get a plumber to check everything out.
If you know you're dealing with a burst pipe, calling for professional help immediately is your best option. Trying to address the problem yourself may result in further water damage.
Contact Dutch Enterprises for 24/7 Plumbing Services
If you encounter a burst pipe this winter, Dutch Enterprises is your go-to solution. Our team of experienced plumbers is available day or night to handle any situation. We understand the urgency of a burst pipe and are equipped to respond quickly to minimize damage to your home.
Choosing Dutch Enterprises means choosing peace of mind. If you’re facing a major plumbing emergency this winter, don’t panic. We’ll get your home back to feeling safe and secure as soon as possible.
Call us now for 24/7 emergency plumbing services in Southeast Missouri.
