Burst pipes are the most common plumbing emergencies we respond to in Los Angeles. And if you don’t know what to do when a pipe bursts, it can lead to flooding, water damage, and a slew of other problems for your home.
So for this post, we will give you a brief guide on what you should do the moment you discover that a pipe burst in your property. We’ll discuss the common causes, what to do next, and the best solution for this plumbing problem. Keep reading to know what you have to do!
Common causes of burst pipes
A pipe burst can happen at any property and for a myriad of reasons. Here are the most common scenarios we often deal with when we’re called for a burst pipe:
- Frozen pipes. While Los Angeles doesn’t get heavy snowfall during winter, low temperatures can still cause water from pipes to freeze. This extreme temperature change can cause pipes to break and burst.
- Tree root intrusion. If you have trees around your property, a water pipe burst could happen when the roots reach your plumbing system. Unlike pipes inside your home, those underground are more challenging to repair and may require digging.
- High water pressure. While high water pressure gives you a nice shower or bath, it can also lead to a burst water pipe if it becomes too much. This is why we always tell our customers to get pressure checks to prevent burst pipes from happening.
- Physical impact. A busted water pipe can also occur because of accidents during a construction project. You may unintentionally hit a pipe while digging or doing landscaping.
- Incorrect installation. Poor plumbing work can easily lead to burst water pipes. Improper positioning of the pipes, substandard pipe materials, and incorrect sizing are just some of the culprits here.
- Old pipes. If your pipes are older than 20 years, you should get them inspected to see if you’re already due for replacements. Old and outdated pipes are more prone to bursting.
What to do when pipes burst
So, what happens when a pipe bursts? The pressurized water will gush uncontrollably into your home, soaking anything that gets on its way. This is a dangerous situation, especially if there electrical appliances and sockets nearby.
But don’t panic just yet! If you have a broken pipe water flooding your home, here are the steps you need to take immediately:
1. Turn off your main valve
The first thing you have to do when a pipe bursts is to find your main valve and shut your water supply right away. By doing this, you can stop more water from flooding your home and damaging your belongings.
Again, the first thing you need to do is shut off the water supply. Calling a plumber can be done after you’ve controlled the damage.
2. Shut off your electrical panel
We also recommend switching off your electrical supply, especially if the burst pipe is inside your walls. You should also do the same if you’re worried that the water could get into your electrical appliances or electrical components.
But for your utmost safety and peace of mind, it’s best to err on the side of caution. Always remember that water and electricity are a deadly combination, so it’s best to shut off your power supply for the meantime until our plumbers have fixed the problem.
3. Call an emergency plumber
Once you’ve turned off your water and power supply, this is now the perfect time to call an emergency plumber. You should call a licensed plumber to handle the problem and prevent future pipe bursts on your property.
If you’re in Los Angeles or surrounding areas, you can call Pacific Plumbing Team for same-day service to repair water pipe issues. We’ve fixed countless burst pipes over the years, both for residential and commercial properties. Depending on your exact location and our availability, our plumber can reach you within 1 hour!
Aside from repairing burst pipes, we can also inspect your entire plumbing system to see what caused the problem in the first place. We’ll perform a pressure check and rule out other possible causes so you won’t experience the same plumbing problem in the future.
4. Take pictures of the scene
While waiting for our plumbing experts to arrive, you should take the time to document all the damage the pipe burst has caused. Don’t touch or clean up anything yet until you have taken pictures of the water damage, burst pipe location, and the surrounding areas
Aside from pictures, you should also take video footage of the area. The more you document the incident, the better. This will come in handy once you file an insurance claim to reimburse the cost of the repairs.
5. Dry up the area
Next, you can start doing some burst pipe cleanup by scooping water out of the area. If you plan to do this, make sure your electrical supply is turned off as getting in contact with water could put you at risk of electrocution.
Aside from that, you can start taking out waterlogged items from your home and see which ones you can still salvage. After that, you can dry the wet areas to make it more accessible to plumbers while avoiding it from becoming a slip hazard.
It’s best to place soaked items under direct sunlight to dry them and prevent mold growth.
6. Check your appliances
Burst and cracked pipes not only cause structural damage, it can also ruin your electrical appliances. So, if you suspect that some of your appliances have been soaked in water, you should shut off your power supply and unplug them immediately.
Also, never use a water-damaged appliance, even if you think it’s already dry. We recommend calling an appliance repair specialist first to ensure that it’s safe for use.
7. Get professional water damage remediation
Aside from emergency plumbing, you also need to call an expert for water damage restoration. Contractors that offer this service have industrial-quality fans and extractors that will eliminate hidden moisture in your home after a pipe bursts.
This way, you can prevent mold growth and potential pest infestations due to trapped moisture. Also, it will help eliminate any bad odors that the water damage has caused.
Take note that just because your floors and walls feel dry doesn’t mean it’s completely moisture-free. Sometimes, water can get trapped underneath and allow molds to thrive.
How to prevent pipe burst damage
You don’t have to fix pipe bursts if you can prevent them before they happen. As experienced plumbers who have seen and fixed thousands of burst pipes, here are the easy steps we recommend to avoid it from happening:
- Winterize your pipes. You should consider insulating your pipes to prevent them from freezing and bursting during winter. Our plumbers can install pipe insulation to reduce the risk of having a burst pipe while stretching the lifespan of your plumbing.
- Monitor your water pressure. Most of the burst pipe damage we’ve seen is due to excessive water pressure. Normal household water pressure is about 45 to 65 psi. Anything higher than this increases the risk of your pipes bursting.
- Consider tree root barriers. If your pipe exploded due to tree root intrusion, we highly recommend installing root barriers. This way, you can prevent the same problem from happening in the future.
- Know where your underground pipes are. You should also know the layout of your pipes, so you can prevent hitting them during remodeling or construction projects. Or better yet, have your plumbing layout handy before you start digging or drilling.
- Use water softeners. Over time, mineral buildup can accumulate on your pipes. When this happens, the space on which the water flows will narrow, and even a normal water pressure can lead to a pipe burst. Water softeners can help reduce this buildup, not to mention that it will also be good for your health.
- Don’t hang things on your exposed pipes. Lastly, never use exposed pipes as a clothesline or as a place to hang stuff. This added weight will put unnecessary tension on the pipe, which can cause it to break and burst.
Got a broken water pipe? Get same-day repairs from Pacific Plumbing Team!
If you have a burst pipe or any plumbing problem, Pacific Plumbing Team is the one to call in LA and surrounding areas. We offer complete emergency plumber services to fix burst pipes fast and at an affordable cost.
We service both residential and commercial properties for your convenience. Above all, we don’t impose extra charges for overtime work, so you don’t have to worry about hidden fees.
Whether it’s a burst pipe, busted water heater, clogs, flooding, backups, and whatnot, we are the trusted plumber of fellow Los Angeles locals. We’re fully licensed and insured, so your home will be in good hands.
If you need quick burst pipe repairs, contact us today, and we’ll send a plumber your way! You can request same-day service at the time most convenient for you.
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