How To Mitigate Water Damage

2/1/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage due to bursting pipe

One of the most common causes of property damage is water. Most water-damage claims are caused by bursting pipes or a supply line leaking. A pipe burst cleanup can be very extensive.

Preventing Bursting Pipes

When temperatures start to drop, frozen pipes are one of the biggest risks of commercial property damage. Many pipes are located in the basement of a building where there is no heat. Before temperatures start dipping down below freezing, take some preventative measures. Insulate all pipes that are outdoors or in unheated areas of your building. You can also use heat tape for an extra layer of precaution if you live in an extremely cold climate.

Allowing the water to run at a slow drip helps relieve pressure if the pipes do freeze. Inspect your pipes regularly for any small leaks. Undetected leaks can lead to major damage.

Steps To Take If Pipes Burst

A pipe burst cleanup is no laughing matter. You could potentially be dealing with large amounts of water. As soon as you discover a problem, turn off the main water supply. If you are unable to turn off the water supply, tell your plumber it is an emergency. You may need to shut down the power if water starts seeping from the ceiling or walls.

If you have an immersion heater or central heating system, it is wise to turn it off. This will prevent any damage from trying to heat an empty system. Now that you have taken measures to prevent the problem from getting worse, try to save any important documents or content inside the building that could get damaged.

The pipe burst cleanup may require water mitigation professionals at SERVPRO of Baldwin and Monroe. You need to remove all the water and dry the building out completely. Depending on the extent of the damage, it could require the use of special equipment.

When dealing with major water damage, speed is important. You want to get things dry before the damp has a chance to set in.