What to Do if a Pipe Bursts in Your Home

With the winters approaching and Minnesota expecting colder months, cold water can cause pipes to contract and burst. Read our guide on how to prevent pipes from bursting, what signs to look for in case of a burst, and what to do if a pipe bursts in your home. In case of water damage, know when to call your local restoration company to avoid mold and costly damages in the future.

How to Prevent Pipes from Freezing

There are a few ways you can prepare for winter and prevent your pipes from bursting. It is best to address the issue now, before causing further damage to your home. Here are some ways to prevent your pipes from freezing this winter:

Let Water Faucets Run Overnight

During those colder nights, it is best to keep your faucets running. No need to increase your water bills and have them turned on all the way. Keep your faucets on just enough to see a little water dripping out. As the water moves throughout your pipes, this is a great way to prevent your water line from freezing. 

Leave Sink Cabinet Doors Open

Whether it is your bathroom or kitchen sink, you are going to want to make sure that the cabinet doors are left open overnight. That way warm air can enter the inside of your cabinets and keep your pipes warm.

Keep Your Home Warm

It is important to keep your home warm, especially areas that tend to be colder during winter. Pipes that are near an outside wall or window are more likely to freeze. The garage and basement are the first places you should start warming up. You can use a hairdryer to heat up your pipes and other low-cost DIY tricks to thaw a frozen pipe. 

Use Heat Tape to Warm up Pipes

Another great way to prevent frozen pipes is by applying heat tape to pipes that are more likely to freeze. Heat tape is used to produce heat and keep your pipes nice and warm.

Disconnect Hose from Outside Faucet

One of the first things you must do to prepare for winter is to disconnect your hose to prevent water from freezing inside. When the hose is connected to the outside faucet, it can freeze and break. Completely drain out any hoses you have and store them in a dry place.

Signs of Pipe Bursts

Even if you have done everything you can to prevent your pipes from freezing this winter, it is still important to know what signs to look for in case your pipe bursts. Here are some signs to be aware of:

• There is a puddle under your sink
• Your water bill has increased by a lot
• Pipes are starting to make weird, unfamiliar noises
• The water has an odd smell and rusty color
• Your water pressure becomes inconsistent and has problems
• Leaky faucets 
• Large water stains on walls

If you find yourself experiencing more than one of these signs, then you most likely have a burst pipe in your home. It’s important to take action immediately before the problem becomes worse.

What to Do if a Pipe Bursts

Most repairs should be left for the professionals, but there are ways you can take action to prevent water damage and costly repairs. You don’t need to be an experienced plumber to get the job done. Here are some things you can do while you wait for a plumber:

Turn off the Water Supply

The first step you should take before anything else, is to turn off the water supply. That way you can avoid new water from entering your pipe system. Do not turn it back on until your plumber has given you the go ahead to do so. 

The less water you have in your pipes, the better. When you turn off your water, you should open up all of your faucets so that any remaining cold water can drain out and relieve pressure. Be sure to also flush all of your toilets. 

Use a Repair Sleeve

Repair sleeves won’t resolve the issue right away, but are a great way to cover up any holes. That way you can continue to use water until the plumber arrives to actually repair your pipe.

Clean up Any Water

Water can cause severe damage to your home. Clean up water quickly to prevent any mold from growing. Any type of water damage can become costly, so it’s best to do everything you can to keep your home dry. If you have a leaky pipe, keep a bucket underneath while waiting on repairs. 

When you notice any further damages from water, contact your insurance company right away. Then call your local restoration company to repair any damaged walls, ceilings, or floors. Most restoration companies are willing to help you with your insurance. At Rapid Restoration, all you have to do is open the claim and we will take care of the rest for you! 

How to Minimize Water Damage 

If a pipe bursts in your home, there are a few steps you can take to prevent further damage. Here are some ways to minimize water damage:

• Protect Your Belongings – Quickly unplug any electronics and then gather any important items that have come in contact with water.
• Dry Wet Areas – Use towels and a mop to clean up as much of the wet area as you can. You can open windows and use fans or heaters to speed up the process. 
• Throw Out Damaged Items – The last thing you want to deal with is mold, so throw out any rugs, clothing, furniture, or electronics that have been damaged by flooding. 
• Call Your Local Restoration Company – Restoration companies have the proper equipment and training to prevent further water damage and restore your home back to normal. 

Call Rapid Restoration Today for Emergency Burst Pipe Cleanup!

Rapid Restoration is your local Minnesota restoration company. We provide services in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Roseville, and other surrounding areas. Whether your home has been damaged by water, mold, fire, smoke, or by a recent storm, we are available 24/7 to help with any home disaster. Contact us for an estimate and get your home restored today!