4 Ways to Deal with Burst Pipes

4 Ways to Deal with Burst Pipes

Having a water pipe burst in your home can cause panic and costly damage if quick action is not taken. In this guide, Neighborhood Plumbing explains what you should do when you have a burst pipe.

Shut Off the Main Water Supply

The first and most important step when dealing with a burst pipe is to shut off the water supply to prevent further damage. Locate the main water shutoff valve, which is usually located near the perimeter of your home, and turn it off. You may also need to turn off electricity if there’s a lot of standing water near electrical outlets or wiring to prevent the risk of electrocution.

Knowing the location of the main water shutoff valve is essential for any homeowner. Do not wait until you have a plumbing emergency to locate the valve—it could be too late to prevent costly water damage. Apart from the perimeter of your home, other common places you can find the main water shutoff valve include the basement, crawl space, garage, or even the water meter box outside near the street.

Call a Professional Plumber

Once you’ve stopped water flow, reach out to a nearby plumber in Allison Park, PA who can respond quickly and help you out of the situation. A professional plumber should be able to arrive at your home in less than 30 minutes and get things under control. They will come with all the tools and materials they need to fix the pipe and restore your water supply as quickly as possible.

Contain The Water

As you wait for a plumber, use towels, buckets, or a wet/dry vacuum to clean up as much water as possible. Block doorways with towels to create barriers. You can also move furniture and valuables away from the affected area. If possible, direct water towards a drain or outside. Act quickly because every minute counts in a plumbing emergency.

Prevent Future Bursts

The saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is particularly relevant to burst pipes. It’s in your best interest to take preventive measures to keep your pipes in tip-top condition. To protect your pipes from freezing, insulate them with foam sleeves, insulation tape, or fiberglass insulation. This is a low-cost preventative measure that can save you from water damage and costly repairs. Besides, pipe insulation can be helpful for hot water pipes, as it reduces the amount of energy needed to keep water hot.

It’s also advisable to be careful about where you plant trees with invasive roots. Tree roots are among the leading causes of burst pipes in homes. Keep trees at least ten feet away from your pipes. If you already have invasive trees in your yard, consider installing root barriers along the pipe lines to prevent root intrusion. Call a local plumber specializing in plumbing repairs to inspect the condition of your pipes and help you keep tree roots away. One of the preventive measures plumbers use is pipe lining—which creates a protective barrier inside the existing pipe to prevent root penetration and leaks.

Rely On the Licensed Plumbers at Neighborhood Plumbing for Pipe Repair and Replacement

A burst pipe is a serious issue—whether it’s occurring indoors or outdoors. If you have a burst pipe in your home, call the specialists at Neighborhood Plumbing for pipe repair or replacement. We are on standby and ready to respond to emergency service calls. Our plumbers have seen it all and fixed it all when it comes to burst and damaged pipes. We are equipped with cutting-edge tools to find the root cause of the problem and make efficient repairs.