When you own a home in the Twin Cities, you know there’s always a risk your plumbing system could experience problems when temperatures drop below freezing. And while older homes are generally more prone to wintertime plumbing issues, pipes can freeze in any home when it’s frigid outdoors.
In a worst-case scenario, that frozen plumbing could result in an emergency pipe burst situation, which can cause significant water damage without prompt action. If you ever find yourself facing a burst pipe, here’s what you need to do to protect your home from water damage.
Locate the Water Main and Shut It Off
As soon as you realize you have a burst pipe, shut off the water main as quickly as you can. Turning off your main water supply will prevent additional water from entering the pipe and leaking out into your home.
Not sure where your water main is? Shut-off valves are typically located along the perimeter of homes since that’s where water first enters the house. Search along your interior walls first and if you can’t find it, look along your exterior walls. In many homes, these valves can be found in the basement or crawlspace, so look there too.
Contact an Emergency Plumber
Any broken pipe must be promptly repaired, so even if it’s the middle of the night, call a plumber who offers 24/7 emergency service. If the burst pipe allowed a significant amount of water inside your home, it’s also wise to shut off power to the affected rooms(s) at your breaker panel. Water and electricity don’t mix, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Contact a Pipe Burst Cleanup Specialist
If you catch the burst pipe immediately after it happens and there’s only a small amount of water in your home, you can probably clean things up on your own. If, on the other hand, your pipe was leaking for some time before you noticed it, you’ll want to contact a water removal or pipe burst cleanup company immediately.
When water makes contact with and saturates a surface, mold can begin developing in as little as 24 hours. The soon you get a water removal company on the scene to clean up the mess, the lower your risk of developing serious water damage.
Call Your Insurance Company
When the water removal specialists arrive, they’ll assess the situation and let you know whether structural drying and water damage restoration services are necessary. If they are, contact your homeowners insurance company as you’ll likely need to file a claim for reimbursement of the costs to repair the damage.
Document the Situation
If you know you’re dealing with considerable water damage, document everything as you’ll need proof of what happened when you file your insurance claim.
Homeowners insurance typically provides coverage for pipe burst cleanup and water damage restoration services since burst pipes are considered accidental damage. However, you’ll need to prove that the water leak and resulting damage were indeed caused by a sudden and unexpected accident rather than a long-term lack of plumbing maintenance.
Kiser Construction: Your Twin Cities Pipe Burst Cleanup Experts
If you find yourself dealing with a burst pipe this winter, call our team at Kiser Construction right away. We provide 24/7 emergency pipe burst cleanup, water removal, and water damage restoration services for homeowners throughout the Minneapolis and St. Paul metro areas. And if you need help filing your insurance claim, we’re more than happy to assist. To learn more or schedule service, call our office at 763-633-2010 or contact us online.
If you’re in need of emergency assistance, please call our 24/7 emergency line at 612-518-8852.