What To Do If A Pipe Bursts In Your Building

12/1/2020 (Permalink)

A pipe burst never happens at an opportune time, and you may freeze in the event that one occurs and you don’t know what to do. To empower you to act in the case of a pipe burst emergency, we’ve compiled a list of steps for you to take after a pipe bursts in your building. 

1. Shut off the water.

Whether you have control of the water supply or the phone number of the person who does, shut off the water or ring the individual who can do so as soon as possible. Shutting off the water at the main valve will help you prevent further water damage. Depending on the type of pipe that experienced the burst, you may be dealing with a whole array of further damage after it breaks.

2. Call a plumber.

If you don’t already have a plumber’s emergency number stored in your phone, now is the time to input one. Even if you don’t have a clue about the first steps to take to repair a broken pipe, your plumber does. You’re probably going to need a plumber to repair the burst, and calling one to assess the damage as soon as possible is wise.

3. Assess the damage, and if needed, call the water damage restoration professionals.

How much damage did the pipe burst cause? Is there water everywhere? How long has the water been soaking into your carpet, your walls, or ceiling? Especially if there appears to be a lot of water damage or the pipe burst is discovered an indeterminate amount of time after it occurs, call the water damage restoration professionals like SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville. Our highly-trained, local technicians will be on the scene in a manner of minutes after you call, no matter the time of day, and we will document the drying process to validate that your property has been dried properly and thoroughly. 

4. Document everything and file an insurance claim.

Although you may panic after a pipe burst, remember to snap photos of all the damage once you discover it. Documenting the whole pipe burst thoroughly will come in handy when it comes time to file an insurance claim, and keeping track of damages, repairs, and quotes from different professionals will ensure that you have a written record as a paper trail. 

5. Soak up excess water.

If there isn’t too much of it, grab a few towels and clean up the excess water. Soaking up water that is sitting on your floor will help minimize the damage it causes. Above all, keep calm, and call the professionals to take care of the pipe burst and any subsequent damage that occurs as a result!

No matter the reason, if you ever experience any water damage, fire damage, storm damage, or mold growth in your home, business, or apartment building, contact SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville at (615) 242-9391. We’re available 24/7, 365 days a year, even on the holidays.