A burst pipe can be a real mess, and it can cause any number of problems for your New Hope home, such as:

• Flood damage to floors, carpeting and belongings.
• Erosion, warping and degradation of building materials. Wood flooring can absorb the moisture quickly and warp. Drywall can be permanently damaged by water.
• Even small amounts of moisture left behind can be a breeding ground for mold, fungus, bacteria, termites and other pests.
• Moisture that seeps into metal fixtures and appliances, such as ducts, air conditioner cabinets or furnaces can quickly lead to rusting.

Any of these problems can cost a pretty penny to fix, so in the event that a pipe or water line breaks into your New Hope home, follow these tips to respond quickly and minimize the damage:

• Turn off the power to the affected areas or, if necessary, the whole house. Electricity plus water equals bad news.
• Open windows throughout the house and turn on fans – as long as the water level is low enough to do so safely – to help circulate air.
• Fire up a dehumidifier. This will have to run for several hours or even a couple of days to ensure everything is dry.
• Start sifting through your belongings to see what can be saved.
• Once everything is out of the way, use a sump pump to siphon away the flood waters. If you don’t have a sump pump, you can rent one, or a wet vacuum will work in a pinch.
• Once you have handled the preliminary cleaning up and drying, have a professional inspect the whole house for signs of any lingering water or damage. You don’t want one of those nasty dangers from above to sneak up on you.

Finally, the best way to respond to a burst pipe is to avoid it. While that’s not always possible, here are some tips that will at least decrease the likelihood of a flood:

• Insulate all your indoor pipes. Most pipe breakages are caused by freezing, so insulating them helps protect against breakage.
• Keep thermostat set at 60 or above to avoid freezing, even when you are away on vacation. Use a programmable thermostat or electrical timer to automate the process.
• In winter, disconnect any outside hoses. Even better, shut off the valves to the outdoor water fixtures if they are accessible.
• Know how to turn off the water and power ahead of time, so you are prepared to do so in an emergency.
• Have your pipes professionally inspected regularly to check for leaks or other damage.

We have trenchless technology that allows us to repair your broken water line quickly and with little damage to your yard, so if you have a broken water line or pipe in New Hope or the surrounding area, never hesitate to call Resolve Rooter!

Tags: Broken Water Line, Burst Pipe, Plumbing Repair, Trenchless Water Line Replacement

Monday, June 25th, 2012 at 9:12 am | Categories: Plumbing |