The thought of coming home to leaking pipes is a nightmare to every homeowner. You wouldn’t want to step on the water in every part of your house.
That’s why you should know all the steps to take when you detect pipe leaks in your home.
The first thing you’ll think of is calling a plumber to fix it for you, especially if the pipe is oozing out large amounts of water.
But what if your plumber is busy on other projects? Or, it’s late in the night? Of course, you’ll do everything to stop the leak.
Thankfully, we have researched some of the things that you can do immediately you notice a leak in your pipes.
Sometimes it gets difficult to fix even the smallest things. If that’s the case, feel free to hire professionals offering leaking pipe repairs in Missoula.
What to Do Immediately Your Pipes Start Leaking
Without wasting any time, let us go straight to the things you should do immediately when your pipes start leaking.
Shut off the Water Supply Valve
This is the first thing you need to do so that you can reduce water damage. It is always important to know where your main water shut-off valve is located; otherwise, you will look for it in every corner of the house.
In most apartments, the main water shut-off valve is usually located in the basement or near your water heater. If you cannot find it, call your plumber and ask where it can be. They won’t charge you for that.
Drain Your Faucets
The next thing is to open your faucets so that the remaining water in the pipe can be emptied.
This makes repairing easy, and it also reduces further damages by relieving pressure in your pipes. Flush your toilets too to drain all the water in the system.
How much is the leak? Shut off your electricity sockets because if the water comes into contact with electricity, it can cause nasty accidents.
If the leaking is small, or if the leaking part is far from any electrical device, you can leave your sockets on.
Identify the Leaking Part
You can quickly identify a leaking pipe, especially if it has been leaking for a long. Regardless of its location, there will be mold and wetness around the area.
Look to your ceiling for any bulges. If it’s the main pipe leaking, you’ll need to call the plumber.
You can do DIY repairs on small bursting on secondary lines as you wait to replace them or call a professional plumber.
Also, be careful when entering dark rooms or ceilings to fix the leaks. Sometimes they hide dangerous animals and insects.
Call a Professional Plumber
After you have done a “first aid” to the leaking pipe, it is now time to call in a plumber.
Depending on the size of the damage-causing the leaks, your line might need a replacement. If it is the main pipe, the leaking should be taken more seriously.
To prevent the same problem from reoccurring, it would be best if you replaced the leaking pipe. Your plumber will also determine the cause of the leak.
Document Any Damage for Insurance Claims
Take photos of the leaking pipes and the affected areas immediately as evidence to the insurance company.
Ensure you take close-up pictures of the damaged pipe and property. If the leak was a lot and some parts of your house have water, measure the water’s height and take pictures.
Temporarily open your main water valve and take a video of the leaking pipe.
Water leaks can cause unimaginable damages like creating mold in the house and making the house cold. It can also cause health complications to your pets and young children.
That is why it is essential to file a claim for your homeowner’s insurance policy. The more photos you have, the easier it will be to claim reimbursements.
Clean Up
Take a mop and dry the wet areas. If the leak didn’t cause flooding, check for any water on the wall and dry it. If left, you will notice molds in three days.
Molds make homes stuffy and are ugly. If the pipe was near your wooden door, the door might absorb water and swell and later start rotting, which will be a significant loss.
Tips on How to Clean Up
These tips will help you clean your house during pipe leaks.
Save Your Important Belongings First
These could be certificates and other documents. Ensure you wipe them with a plant-based antimicrobial, and then place them in a dry place to dry.
Also, take pictures of them as evidence to the insurance company, mostly if the damage was too much.
Dry Your Sockets
Ensure all your sockets are completely dry before plugging in your chargers and TV cables.
Mop-dry All the Water
If your floor is wet, do not turn on the electricity yet. Remove your carpets and furniture and put them out to dry. To fasten the drying of the floor, you can turn on the fan. Also, open windows to let in the fresh air.
It is not advisable to turn on the AC. It can attract microbial in the ductwork leading to more damage.
Check if there are soaked clothes. They need to get washed and dried before they start growing mold inside. If the leaking is in the basement, you’ll need to do a thorough cleaning.
Disinfect To Prevent the Growth of Mold
Bring in mold-prevention specialists to take care of this part. They will come with tools to detect moisture on the walls, floor, and any corner of the house.
If mold starts growing in your home, it causes stains and rot on things that can be too expensive to replace.
Final Words
After dealing with leaking pipes, you will be keener on your pipe system and take precautions on the smallest signs. Take all the leaks seriously and ensure that you keep monitoring your pipes to prevent leaks’ possible causes.
