Are Your Pipes Breaking?

5/17/2016 (Permalink)

Copper Pipes Breaking (Oceanside & Camp Pendleton)

Do you know what to do after a Fire?

(Oceanside & Camp Pendleton Fire Remediation)

 A broken pipe and the water damage cleanup it causes is a nightmare for every homeowner or office manager.  Even a broken sink pipe with a small amount of water can do significant damage in a short period of time. In the Southern California - Oceanside – Camp Pendleton areas this scenario is becoming more and more likely because of the housing boom we experienced years ago.  “How is that relevant?” you say.  Well because there were so many homes being built back in 2005 – 2007 copper pipe manufactures were not able to keep up with the demand and so contractors started purchasing substandard copper piping from China.  Understanding that there will be thousands of homes and businesses that will be the victims of this shortsightedness here are a few things you can do when you are unfortunate enough to experience this crisis?

The first thing that you should do is find the source of the water damage and stop the flow 0f additional water from entering your home.  The more water the bigger the water damage cleanup and more extensive the problem.  It's easy to figure out when you've left a faucet on or a hard rain had filled your basement. But if you have a broken pipe that has burst that can’t be seen, you must turn off the water supply to your home as quickly as possible.  The water main is often in your garage or in your front yard under a cement plate designated “Water”. 

It is important to understand that even though there is a lot of work ahead to fix your water damage problem you can call professional water restoration experts like SERVPRO Fallbrook South Oceanside, they can save you many headaches and help you settle with your insurance company.  Additionally they can give you tips on what to do until HELP arrives.

Now, assuming you can manage the water repair on your own, the first step is to extract as much water by mopping or blotting, wipe off or remove all furniture, and remove any rugs.  A wet vacuum would be great to remove large quantities of water, so you may need to rent one.

Next, get fresh air moving through the area.   Open windows and turn on as many fans as possible to get the air flowing throughout the house or office. This will help dry the area, and will also help to reduce odors later on.  You will need to rent high speed fans.  Keep in mind that if you do not have enough air flow or dehumidifying machines to significantly dry an area (carpet, cement, drywall, wood, etc.) it will eventually create black mold and that is another problem you do not want.

Next, start a dehumidifier running as quickly as possible to take moisture out of the air.  Depending on the size of the water damage you may need to rent an industrial dehumidifier.  Along with the fans, this will help accelerate your water damage cleanup efforts by removing the moisture quicker. Be sure to check the reservoir tank often and empty it regularly. It is necessary to run your dehumidifier until things are completely dry to avoid the conditions where mold and mildew can grow.

The next step is very important and will save hassles later. Take many photos of the damaged areas as evidence for your insurance claim. Like any accident, documentation is critical and gives you proof that will put you in the best position possible when settling your claim.

It is important to note that wood surfaces that have been affected by the water are more urgent than carpeted areas. Wood is porous and can soak up the water causing warping and delaminating. It is a good idea to remove the water as quickly as possible and then use fans and a dehumidifier on these areas first.  One of the better was to remove water from wood flooring is a wet vacuum. 

Finally, call your insurance company and determine if the water damage is covered under your homeowner’s policy.  The experienced pros at SERVPRO are in the Oceanside – Camp Pendleton area, are available 24/7 and can help you with this and all the additional steps to water damage cleanup & repair, quickly.