What to Do Immediately After a Burst Pipe
It’s laundry day in your Anaheim home, and with young kids, it feels like every day. You head into the laundry room and catch a whiff of something musty. Worried you forgot to switch a load of laundry to the dryer, you go to check, and end up stepping in a giant puddle of water.
This isn’t a case of forgotten laundry. It’s a burst pipe.
What should you do about a burst pipe before the problem gets any worse?
Burst Pipe? Do This Before You Panic
When your pipe bursts, you’ve got about five seconds to move from panic to plan. And a mother knows how to keep her cool even when she’d rather scream into a pillow.
Here’s exactly what to do before things get worse:
- Shut Off Your Water Supply – Go to your main shut-off valve and turn off the water to your home. Then turn on a few faucets or flush your toilet to drain any remaining water in your pipes so it doesn’t continue to drain through the leak.
- Turn Off Your Electricity (If Needed) – If your pipe bursts near an area with outlets (like your laundry room), it’s important to get the electricity shut off to prevent any shocks or injuries or any further damage to your home.
- Call the Pros – That’s us! Once those immediate actions are taken care of, give Barker and Sons a call! We’ll handle the repair and help you clean up the water so you can focus on calming down the stressed-out kids. And if you happen to have an after-hours burst pipe, our emergency team is standing by 24/7 to help you out of any plumbing pickle.
- Document the Damage – While we’re on our way to fix your burst pipe, take pictures of any damage to your property or possessions. You can also grab towels and buckets to start cleaning any standing water, as long as it’s safe: no electrical current or sewage contamination.
When we arrive, we make sure the pipes are properly secured. You’ll be back to washing and folding laundry in no time, for better or for worse. 😉
How to Prevent Future Burst Pipes
Our favorite kind of emergency is the one that doesn’t happen. If you want to avoid soggy socks and midnight mops, here’s how to stay two steps ahead of any burst pipes in your home:
Annual Plumbing Inspections – An annual plumbing inspection allows us to catch any weak spots before they become flood zones. We’ll check for wear and tear, patch up the trouble spots, and give your plumbing a clean bill of health, so burst pipes don’t even get a chance.
Install an Automatic Water Shut-Off – An automatic water shut-off might just be your—or your home’s—new best friend. This handy device is installed right onto your main water line and monitors all the water flowing through your entire home. Just like a babysitter, it watches for any trouble when you aren’t around. And if there is a leak, this device will shut down your water right away.
Barker and Sons Has Your Back 24/7
Burst pipes can quickly cause thousands of dollars in home repairs and damage your treasured possessions. It doesn’t matter if it’s the middle of the day or late at night, you deserve full plumbing protection. If your pipes have already betrayed you, or you want to make sure they never do, give us a call.
