If you discover a burst pipe in your home, it’s imperative you get it fixed as soon as possible. The potential water loss from burst pipes in your house can be as much as 400 litres an hour– that’s 2 full baths every hour! This means if you were away for a full day you could have up to 9,600 litres of water or 48 full baths of water in your house from burst pipes. If you were away for the week you could lose 47,200 litres of water in that week.
This is a job best left to the experts, but there are some important steps you should take while you wait for your plumber to arrive.
Take Action Fast
It’s important to take action straight away once discovering a burst pipe. If possible, have someone else call your local plumber to organise a visit while you start taking the following steps:
- Check for Signs of More Burst Pipes
Do a quick walkthrough and look for the signs of burst pipes. Not every burst pipe is a torrent of water from the ceiling. Look for damp patches on walls, ceilings and floors. Knowing where every problem is will help you get them fixed quickly and efficiently once help arrives.
- Stop the Flow
It’s important to minimise any further damage from occurring. The simplest way to do this is to turn off the water mains for your home. Make sure you know how to access your mains and how to turn them off properly.
- Don’t Get Zapped
Don’t use the electrical devices in your home and keep away from light switches and sockets – if water is leaking it can easily be within the electrical circuit.
- Clean Away Excess Water
Clean the excess water away as soon as possible. The quicker the water is removed the less damage can be caused.
- Shift Your Furniture
Move any furniture and belongings away from the affected area. Remember that insurance does not always cover everything and somethings just cannot be replaced. Clearing the space will also make access easier for your plumber.
- What If the Pipe Is in the Street?
Pipes can burst under the street as well. This isn’t too hard to spot as it usually leads to torrential flows of water from drains. If the burst pipes are not in the home but the street, then keep well away. The water pressure in the street can be exceptional and very dangerous. Call the local water authority immediately.
- Make Sure Your Plumber Offers 24/7 Emergency Services
A pipe can burst at any time and you can’t sit around while damage is done or with no running water in your house. Make sure you choose a plumber who offers a reliable, 24/7 emergency call out service. This guarantees that they can help with urgent repairs whenever you need them.
For a reliable 24/7 plumber in Canberra, contact the team here at Boland Plumbing. For more advice, explore our other blogs.