What To Do With A Broken Pipe

By Author: Leo Nov
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At some point in your life, you might have experienced having to fix something in your house or having someone else fix it. If you are not the handyman type of homeowner, you obviously prefer the latter option.

Broken pipe is one of the usual home catastrophes that can be a big problem if left unattended. This causes leaks and leads to damages in the property. It even poses safety and health hazards.

Whether those leaks would cause molds or cause you to trip upon stepping on the unwanted puddle, this is something you need to get fixed right away. More often than not it is always better to have a professional fix this rather than do it on your own.

What do you do upon spotting a broken pipe?

1. The first thing you should do is contact a professional repair company right away. Broken pipes may be symptomatic of bigger problems like loose fixtures. There are many repair companies available 24 hours a day for emergency cases like this.
2. While waiting for repairmen to arrive, shut down valves right away. This will stop wasted water from trickling, causing flood and further damaging your home.
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... 3. If your pipe is anywhere near electrical circuits, you might need to shut off the electricity as well. Note that this is only a temporary solution and will need the attention of an expert electrician or plumber. Don't proceed and wait for repairmen if you are uncertain.
4. As a temporary remedy, cover the pipe with a rubber band or tape to prevent leaking. This will only last a few hours.
5. Another temporary remedy is to place a basin below the leak so that the water doesn't flow to places like sockets or wooden furniture. However, this is applicable for minor leaks only.

These are all temporary remedies you can do for a broken pipe. Once your repair company has arrived, explain the history of your leak problems. Plumbers will also ask you if you have seen any other signs of leaking in other places of the house. An unusually high water bill is also a symptom of a broken pipe.
Leo Nov is an editorial staff member of RestorationSOS.com, a leading service provider for water damage cleanups. To learn more about water damage and flooded basement, visit RestorationSOS.com.