What To Do When the Pipes Break

8/18/2020 (Permalink)

Have leaks and drips fixed right away to avoid bigger problems in the future

What To Do When the Pipes Break

It isn't uncommon for plumbing companies to get a lot of business as soon as the temperatures drop. It doesn't take long for exposed pipes to freeze up. As a property owner or manager, look for the following areas of vulnerability:

• Age of the building
  
• Lack of insulation
  
• Plastic pipes
  
• Thin metal pipes
  
• Pipes located next to exterior walls
  
  

It isn't always possible to move pipes or replace them with higher quality materials, but you should find it convenient to add insulation to avoid water damage in Brandon, MN. What happens when you already have bursting pipes?

Turn Off Water and Electricity
Start protecting your building by shutting off the water at the main water valve. It's also important to turn off the electricity before entering the area of the building affected by the broken pipes. The combination of water (even just a tiny bit of moisture) and electricity can lead to electrocution.

Call a Plumber To Complete Repairs
Your next step is contacting a plumber to fix the broken pipe. There are plenty of building maintenance tasks you can do on your own, but just about anything related to plumbing should be turned over to professionals. One reason for this is that there may be other areas of weakness, and a professional is more likely to catch these before they lead to further damage. Bursting pipes could also weaken flooring and create a new area of risk. It's always possible to do more damage if you aren't really sure how to complete repairs. Finally, if there's any risk of injury or electrocution, the pros have the necessary training to avoid getting hurt.

Remove Water as Soon as Possible
As soon as you get off the phone with the plumber, start removing water. The longer the moisture is in contact with floors, walls, and other furnishings and structural elements, the higher the risk of damage. Don't wait to contact professionals who have experience with water damage in Brandon, MN, because a quick response is the best way to avoid mold and secondary damage.