What Do I Do If a Pipe Bursts in My Saugerties Home?

1/12/2021 (Permalink)

This burst pipe occurred while the owner was out of town. The neighbor was able to get the water turned off but the owner came back to one soggy home!

No one ever wants to experience and then deal with water damage in their home, but one of the most significant types of water damage—a burst pipe—is extra difficult to handle. When a pipe bursts, it’s able to pump large volumes of water into an area in a short amount of time, leading to serious damage to walls, floors, contents and appliances that can come about fast.

Many people put off planning for water damage as the situation seems hypothetical but putting a plan in place is one of the best things you can do. Out of every 50 homes, one will have water damage in a year, but those who are prepared tend to have a much better time recovering.

Know What to Do If You Discover a Burst Pipe-

*Locate and Shut Off the Water Main. If a burst pipe is left unattended, it can continue to pour water into a room indefinitely. Knowing where your home’s water main is located and being able to turn it off quickly can help curb some of the damage.

*Shut off your electricity. If you can safely get to your breaker box, cutting that off is the next thing you should do to prevent water and electricity from coming into contact and causing further issues. Do NOT enter a room where electric and water have come in contact with each other. Your local electric provider will handle it from the outside.

*Contact a restoration company. When there is water damage, acting quickly is key—which is why we recommend having a restoration company chosen before you ever need them. This way, you can place the call immediately after discovering damage to start the process. Choose one with long time experience, positive online reviews and most importantly, 24/7 service specializing in emergency restoration. The quicker the better, as long-term damage leads to secondary and much more costly issues like structural damage and mold growth.

*Call your insurance company and take a record of the damages. Being able to keep thorough records is a great way to keep things organized, both on your behalf and on the behalf of your insurance company. Taking photos, videos and keeping a list can keep you from forgetting about anything amidst the chaos. Every insurance policy has different coverages for different situations. Calling your insurance carrier promptly will help speed the claim process and restoration time frame up. Many have 24 claims centers as well.

*Open windows and doors if possible. Reducing drying time is key for reducing the overall damage, so if you can safely do so, opening windows and doors in addition to wiping up water is a great way to take some moisture out of the equation.

If you have water damage in your home due to a burst pipe, ice damming or appliance malfunction, you can count on us for quick restoration assistance. Contact us at any time, 24/7 no matter the day or the disaster. SERVPRO of Kingston/New Paltz is always here to help.