A burst pipe and emergencies within the home go hand in hand. If you don’t respond to it immediately, the damages caused by a burst pipe can be quite devastating.
Most water pipes can also freeze and break during colder months of the year. This is because the pipes freeze and put a lot of pressure on the tubing or the metalwork as water flows in. The pipes crack and break as a result.
It’s always recommended you seal the pipes before the cold season and to be on the safer side, you should also look for the warning signs, which include:
- Having water taps that produce little or no water
- Clogged sinks and toilets that flush slowly
- Gurgling sounds from your central heating system
However, sometimes even with the right measures in place, your pipe can still burst. So what do you do if this happens? Here are some simple steps to take when your pipe bursts.
Find The Burst Pipe
You need to locate the pipe as soon as it bursts. This is because the signs may not always be as simple as having drains full of water under the kitchen sink. A broken water pipe can sometimes have a slow steady leak.
- Disrupted supply of water in your pipes or constant water pressure
- Patches of water on your ceilings and walls and any odd watermarks
- Beams or walls bulging
- Damp floor
Once you’ve found a burst pipe, shutting off your main power switch is crucial. That is a safety measure that you cannot afford to ignore. If they come into contact, water and electricity can be dangerous.
With this in mind, you need to take care of and turn off all your electrical appliances. It’s always an effective way of avoiding shocks and other potential risks.
Turn Off Your Water Supply
You must turn off your water supply after identifying a burst pipe. Find your stopcock, often located under your kitchen sink or near a kitchen cupboard, however, some can be located outdoors. Clear it to ensure that there is nothing that obstructs it and turn off the water.
To minimise damage, you can also soak up any excess water that leaks from your pipes. Soak up water using towels or heavy materials. Additionally, you should collect water with buckets or with any other large water storage containers.
When you have water on your roof, use a sturdy long-handled device to drain and clear the water. Make sure you are standing back when removing water from the ceiling for your protection.
The rule of thumb here is that you must get as much water out of the system as possible. This will prevent further damage and reduce potential risks. So make sure your drains are flushed and all water pipes cleaned.
Inspect The Damage
The next step is to carefully examine a broken pipe in order to determine the extent of a broken water pipe’s damage. This should be addressed before you begin to think of future reparations. Whatever the extent of the damage, you will need to assess the size of the main pipe, so a detailed inspection will be needed.
Here at MZR Drainage, we have a CCTV drainage survey that can easily identify any issues you may have. This lets you schedule better maintenance or replace a burst pipe if necessary.
If you have a lot of water in your home and can’t remove it on your own, ask for professional help. A specialist has access to the right tools to pump water and keep your home safe.
The central heating system must also be turned off and all of your pipes drained. To do this successfully, running cold water through your faucets is essential. Flush the toilet and then return to each faucet to empty all the water in the taps. You will notice that the leak will stop once all of the water is drained.
Remember that it will take more time and energy to repair a major water pipe that has been damaged than a small water pipe, which you may just need to patch up to prevent any further damages.
For patching the piping, you can use a chemical bonding agent or commercial tape. Whichever solution you choose, it is always best to seek an expert’s advice to solve the problem once and for all.
You may also wish to check with your neighbours during your investigation to see whether your burst pipes have affected theirs. It is also important to ensure that you aren’t inconveniencing your neighbours by shutting the main water supply off.
You will then be able to notify them what happened as well as repairing a broken pipe without any confrontations.
Fix The Burst Pipe
Replace a burst pipe once a thorough inspection has been carried out. This is a fairly simple task you can do on your own, particularly if the burst area is small. If the pipe burst is significantly bigger than you first thought, it’s always best to call a professional plumber right away.
You will need a standard garden hose as well as hose clamps for the best constriction when you repair a burst pipe, as they give the same amount of grip.
Measure the crack carefully, fissure and fill the cracked area. You can slip in a slice of garden hose to the burst in the water pipe. Using hose clamps to keep the tube in place when compressing it as tightly as you can. Switch on the water to check if the repair has worked.
Nonetheless, you must be careful not to close the compression nut too tight. It can lead to additional leakage and can cause more problems.
When you can’t fix the drain by yourself, it is recommended to find a plumber or drainage expert. They will not only take care of the split or damaged pipe, but also take into consideration the electrical and gas potentially involved.
Professional Clean Up And Drying
Often, insurance companies may conduct the drying and the duty of restoring the house and furniture. In the meantime, you should try moving your things out to a dry area to prevent more damage.
If the leaking is too bad and you can’t handle it on your own, documenting every detail is crucial. Take pictures whenever necessary, find proof of payment and compensation documents as well as any serial number that will help you make claims.
This is because home insurance policies differ from one company to the next. Others will first have to come to assess the damage, while others will have to consult about your major concerns before providing compensation.
How Can MZR Drainage Help?
With these steps, you now know what to do in the event of a burst water pipe. However, if you’re still not sure on how to tackle a burst water pipe or it’s more serious than you thought and you’re not comfortable with following the above instructions, we would advise you to seek help from a professional.
Here at MZR Drainage, we offer an expert drain service that is second to none and at a reasonable price. We have 35 years of experience in all drain services as well as being proud members of checkatrade.com where reputation matters.
If you need any help or more information regarding our services, please feel free to contact our office on 0121 663 1060 or 07967 835427. You can also get in touch with us for more information by emailing info@mzrplumbing.com.
