There’s nothing worse than discovering a burst pipe in your home. There are a variety of reasons why pipes can burst, such as pipes freezing in the winter or water pressure cracking through weak areas in the metal. There are several things you can do to minimise the damage to your pipes and your home, but the first thing you want to do is call a plumbing service immediately.
If you have a burst pipe in Birmingham, you luckily have the option of some of the best 24-hour emergency plumbing services available. These plumbers will come out any time, day or night, to make sure your burst pipe is fixed as quickly and efficiently as possible. And if there is any additional damage, your emergency plumber will be there onsite to offer suggestions and next steps to repairing it.
What You Can Do in the Meantime
A burst pipe is nothing to fool around with, but while your emergency plumber is on their way over, there are several steps you can take to minimise the damage. The best thing you can do is shut off the water immediately to take pressure off the pipe and keep the leak to a minimum. If the leak is larger, you may want to consider shutting off the electricity as well to prevent any electrical damage or electrocution.
Opening a faucet after shutting off the valve is a great way to decrease additional pressure. And, if you don’t know where the water valve is located in your home, now is the time to find it and commit the location to memory.
If frozen pipes are the cause of the burst, turning up the heat can help protect some of your more vulnerable pipes from freezing and bursting as well. You can use anything from fans to blow more heat into the room or hairdryers to keep smaller pipes warm. Open doors around the house to keep the heat flowing as well. The main goal is to keep the pipes warm, the water moving, and to prevent further pressure build-up.
Start collecting and cleaning up the water. In order to prevent water damage, grab a bucket to collect water and begin mopping and drying as soon as possible. If the leak is left unattended, water could damage walls and the flooring, leaving them susceptible to mould and rot.
Don’t Try to Be the Hero
There are plenty of other tips and tricks you can do to potentially try and stop the leak with clamps or temporary piping, but the danger of trying to do it yourself is unintentionally causing more damage. You are not a professional, and you don’t want to risk creating a larger leak or causing further water damage to your home. Focus on keeping the pressure low and keeping the area as dry as possible until professional help gets there.