What To Do When Your Pipes Burst In Oak Hills

12/21/2017 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO to clean up the water damage right away!

When water pipes freeze, the water expands, which can cause the pipes to burst and allow the thawed water to leak.

A burst water pipe can cause serious damage to your Oak Hills home and furnishings.

Knowing what to do in the event of a burst water pipe can limit the damage. Here are some tips:

• Turn off the water at the main stop tap as soon as you notice a leak. You can usually find it under the kitchen sink where the service pipe comes in, so make sure you know where it is in case of emergency.
• If you have a cold water tank, turn off the stopcock.
• Drain the cold water system by turning on all your cold taps.
• Turn off any water heating system, such as central heating or immersion heaters, and then drain the hot water system by turning on the hot taps.
• Switch off the electrical mains if you think the water may have leaked near your electrics or electrical appliances. However, if the mains switch is wet DO NOT TOUCH IT.
• Call a plumber to fix the leaking water pipe.
• Call an electrician if you think your electrical wiring may have been damaged by the water. Never underestimate the dangers associated with electricity, especially when mixed with water!
• A burst pipe can be particularly dangerous if water leaks through for some time before you notice. In that case, the water may have caused structural damage that could result in collapsed ceilings or weakened walls. If the ceiling is bulging, be careful because it may not be safe.

If you do experience a water damage because of a pipe burst call SERVPRO right away! 503.619.6198