Burst Pipes, Leaks and Water Damage Restoration

The Most Common Water Damage is Leaks and Burst Pipes.

Water damage comes from many different sources, but the most common are plumbing related: burst pipes and water leaks. The difference between a pipe burst and a water leak is largely in the size of the hole or crack in the pipe and how quickly large quantities of water can exit from there. A burst pipe is usually caused by freezing temperatures that cause the water inside the pipes to expand and put pressure on the walls of the pipe, leading to a rupture. This can result in significant damage if not addressed immediately.

A water leak can be from a smaller hole in a pipe that corroded over time, or even from a join that isn't connected properly. This smaller opening can be more difficult to detect until it has caused enough damage over time, in which case there is more likely to be mold growing as well.

Broken Pipe Leaks Damage and Restoration

Pipe bursts are the most common water damage in the home, along with leaks. Both of these "harmless" household items have a great potential for damage, especially if the leak and water isn't discovered immediately. In the worst of cases, like when the pipe burst is in a rarely visited crawl space, you'll only find out when the water bill comes in.

However, the water bill is only one of the costs that will accompany water damage due to a burst pipe. The restoration and repair of water damage is its own expense, but it is always going to be affected by how much time passes between the start of the damage and the start of the restoration. This is because mold can begin to grow in wet areas within 24 to 48 hours, and mold can cause additional damage and add to the extent of the work and also how much it will cost. This is why we recommend that if you have discovered a burst pipe, it is in your best interests to call our experts promptly to extract water and start drying out your property.

How to restore burst pipe water damage

Water damage from a pipe burst can affect drywall, floors, and walls of your home and the insulation system as well as electricity lines. Also, water-damaged structures can become susceptible to mold growth. You should address water damage immediately because it can worsen the problem in case it is untreated. Here are some basic steps:

Safety first - Close the water sources and electricity - these steps will stop the inflow of more water and prevent safety issues. If you haven't done it yet, and you're reading this - go do it now and then get back to reading.

Call an expert - If your property has suffered from water damage, call Flood Damage Pro, an experienced water damage restoration company. We'll be able to take care of the leak and the damage for you. You should also call a plumber to fix the pipes.

Inspect the property, take photos, call the insurance - Make sure that you document the damage to your property with photos, and make a list of all damaged items and areas. Calling the insurance company will also help you understand what's covered in your policy to help you recover from the water damage.

Plan the restoration - When our water damage restoration expert, arrives, they will conduct an initial inspection. In this step, an identification of the water type is done to find if it is in category 1, category 2 or category 3. From there, they will inspect the extent of water damage. This helps define what is required in the restoration. Based on this, they will be able to plan how to restore your home to its original condition.

Extract the water - The water will be extracted using water extraction machines. This reduces the drying time which helps prevent secondary water damage and mold so as to prevent further water damage to property.

Removal of water-damaged materials - In the case where water damage has affected walls, we will remove the sections of sheetrock that are wet. This material is inexpensive and easy to replace, and it allows us to expose the inside of the walls for the most efficient drying.

Dry the affected areas and inspect for mold growth - Using professional drying equipment, our team will make sure the area dries quickly. This involves the manipulation of temperature as well as relative humidity and moisture. Specialized equipment such as dehumidifiers and air movers help remove water that is retained by building materials. We keep tabs on the progress to make sure it is meeting industry recommendations. Any signs of mold growth are noted and the area is prepared for cleaning and mold treatment.

Thorough cleaning and restoration - The area is cleaned, sanitized, and disinfected. Professionals can choose different cleaning methods according to the needs of the property, such as wet cleaning, dry cleaning, abrasive cleaning, foam cleaning, spray and wipe. Possible sanitizing treatments include antibacterial, antimicrobial and disinfectant treatments. In addition, we will restore drywall and flooring to complete the cleaning and restoration.

Monitoring and inspection - Once the water damage restoration is done, we will review the affected area to make sure everything was dried properly, that humidity levels are back to normal, and that you, our valued customer, is utterly and completely satisfied.

Mold Prevention

How to prevent mold from appearing after the house was flooded: Mold prevention services

Mold and mildew usually grow in dark and damp areas. A pipe burst can lead to water damage that provides moisture which allows mold to grow. When your building is damp for 24 to 48 hours it will provide great conditions for mold to grow. Mold exposure can subject your family to allergic symptoms like cough, headaches, irritated skin, and itchy throat/ eyes.

To prevent mold growth, it is important to make sure your property is cleaned and dried as soon as possible after the water damage occurs. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that you will need mold remediation services as well. The easiest way to ensure that the water is removed correctly is to hire a professional water damage restoration service.

We hope you'll never suffer from a burst pipe, but if you do - call Flood Damage Pro at 866-869-4167. We'll make your life simpler, taking care of the water damage from A to Z, and from disaster to full restoration.