Burst Pipe Cleanup Tips
Do you own a home or commercial property? If you do, you probably want to protect your investment as best you can. Your lifestyle and even your livelihood may depend on it. Unfortunately, you may have to face the reality of maintenance issues popping up that end up costing you a lot of money if they are not handled quickly and correctly.
One such issue could be a burst pipe in the building. Burst pipes could be caused by several things. If the building is located in colder climates with freezing temperatures, water in the pipes could freeze and expand, building up pressure in the piping until it breaks. To prevent pipes from bursting in cold weather, try leaving a faucet on a trickle so that the water keeps moving. Corrosion could also compromise the integrity of a pipe. Even tree roots that have grown deeper into the ground can break the pipes that lead into the building from the outside. Other hazards can cause a burst pipe, but these are some of the most common.
Whatever the cause of the break, the result can be catastrophic and cause a lot of property damage to your investment.
A Burst Pipe Flood
The biggest issue that you will face when a pipe bursts is flooding. With the seal broken, water can stream into areas in the building where it doesn’t belong. This can cause water damage that will significantly harm the property in multiple ways.
Compromised Structural Elements
When water gets into contact with the structure of the building, it can cause rot and deterioration. Wooden floorboards, concrete, drywall, and other materials could be susceptible. If left untreated, this could eventually lead to a collapse, which would put a huge financial burden on your shoulders. Water removal should happen quickly to protect your walls, floors, and the rest of the house or commercial building from further damage.
Mold Growth
Mold thrives in dark, damp areas and when a burst pipe leaves water in these hidden areas or a crawl space, mold spores can develop and cause serious damage to the air quality in the building.
Ruined Possessions
Water damage can be devastating for your possessions. If moisture gets into contact with upholstered furniture, personal items, carpet, flooring, or other items, it could ruin them completely, resulting in further loss.
Cleaning Tips After a Pipe Bursts
If you are unable to prevent bursting pipes in the first place, knowing how to mitigate the damage that occurs after a pipe burst could save you money and a lot of your possessions. Plus, the sooner restore the affected areas, the less likely you will have to deal with long-term problems. Here are a few tips to help you clean up water damage.
Locate the Pipe Burst and Stop the Leak
Figuring out where the leak is coming from is crucial. Even before you determine the exact location, you may want to hit the main shut-off valve to stop the main water supply in the building. Then, if you can narrow down which pipe is broken, you can shut off the more local valve to prevent further leaks. Also, make sure that any components that use electricity that are near the water are shut off for your safety.
Water Extraction
If pipe bursts leave any standing water in the building where it doesn’t belong, then this is your top priority. Extracting this collection will be crucial to protecting the structural elements and your possessions. You may want to head to your local hardware store to buy or rent a wet-dry vacuum or a manual pump. This is the most effective way to remove standing water from the building.
Evaporation and Drying
For the moisture that is left, you will need to implement thorough evaporation and drying techniques. Air circulation will be important, so open windows and doors for better airflow, turn on some large fans or an air mover if you have one, and then put them in the highest setting. Turn on some dehumidifiers as well to remove the water vapor in the air. You can even use a hair dryer in some circumstances.
To speed up the drying process, remove all wet items and bring them outside to dry. this will get rid of another source of moisture in the affected areas.
Clean Up Thoroughly
Depending on where the broken pipe is and what it was used for, the water leak could leave contaminants in the building. You may need to disinfect surfaces and remove debris that resulted from the leaking water. Begin cleaning once the area is completely dry.
Mold Remediation
Mold can develop fast if you do not act quickly to damage caused by a broken pipe. To preserve the air quality in the building and prevent potential respiratory problems, invest in a mold removal service.
When the Job is Too Large to Handle
Depending on the severity of the break and where the damage occurs, you may not have the capacity to repair everything yourself. You may be facing an emergency situation as well. When the job is too big to handle on your own, getting in touch with a Portland water damage restoration company will be the best choice you can make.
Expertise That You Need
To save your property and possessions, you may need the help of restoration companies that are equipped with the right tools and knowledgeable experts in the field. Professional help can remove excess water effectively, dry out building materials, remodel, make repairs, and do a full damage restoration for your property. A professional plumber can help locate the source of the break and ensure that it is fixed or replaced correctly.
A restoration service will also ensure that the affected area is professionally cleaned so that it is safe for everyone who uses the property. Whether the water damage is caused by a burst pipe, broken gas water heater, a natural disaster, or faulty appliances, a restoration company is probably your best bet to save the property and prevent long-term issues.
Contact Your Insurance Company as well
After an incident like this occurs, one of your first calls should be to your insurance carrier. They can help you determine what your policy covers and get started on the insurance claims process. In many cases, the cost of the restoration will be covered by your plan, so it makes sense to hire professional restoration specialists to make sure that the job is done right.
