With the recent cold front, it seems like we’re going to have a cold Chicago winter after all! That means icy sidewalks, heavy snowfall, and worst of all: bursting pipes. So what do you do if this happens to you? Well there are some steps you should take right away, before even calling a professional, in order to minimize damage.
1. Turn off the Water Supply
The first thing you absolutely must do when a pipe bursts is turn off the water supply in order to prevent further damage. Turn on as many faucets as possible once the water is switched off in order to drain the entire pipe system and stop more water from entering and damaging your home. Doing this will lessen the effects of the burst pipe on your home and reduce the likelihood of lasting problems from water damage like mold growth.
2. Move Your Valuables
After you’ve ensured that no more water is leaking from the burst pipe, secure all of your valuables in case it continues to leak or another pipe bursts. The last thing you want is to lose furniture or other expensive items on top of dealing with a burst pipe in the middle of winter. If you’ve discovered the problem late in the game, then there may already be flood-like water damage in your home, so you’ll want to follow flood damage procedures.
3. Collect the Water
After you’ve secured your valuables, try to collect the excess water with buckets and the like to protect your home from more water damage. There’s not much you can do on your own but try your best because this is a crucial point in reducing water damage and you should try to collect as much water as possible.
Good job on tackling the immediate problems before you got to this point! It can be tempting to just sit back and call someone to fix it, but if you take steps immediately following your discovery of the problem, you can save yourself a lot of time and money. However, don’t be stubborn and think you can handle it all yourself. Professionals like ProCare Restoration exist for a reason. We are here to help you and we specialize in these problems, so don’t hesitate to call us!
