What to Do If Your Water Main Breaks This Winter Season
One minute, everything’s fine, and the next, you’re dealing with flooding, water pooling, and low water pressure.
Does this sound familiar? It’s cold outside, which doesn’t just mean freezing temperatures and high heating bills – it can result in a full-blown disaster like a water main break.
One of the most stressful plumbing emergencies you can experience during the cold season is a water main break.
#1. Shut Off Your Water Main Valve
Don’t let the situation worsen! Locate your property’s main water shutoff valve and immediately turn it off. Not only does this limit flooding and structural damage, but it also prevents additional water from flowing through the line.
You don’t need to wait until a water main break to locate your shutoff valve. Make sure you take the time to find it before temperatures drop to save yourself time and frustration during an emergency.
#2. Address Electrical Hazards
Flooding isn’t the only thing to worry about with a water main break. If water comes into contact with electricity, then it can be a disaster, which is why a crucial step is turning off the electricity to affected areas.
Remember, standing water is extremely dangerous near electrical components and should be handled with caution.
#3. Relieve Pressure by Opening Faucets
Once you’ve shut off the water supply, open faucets throughout your home to drain remaining water from the pipes. This will relieve pressure within your plumbing system and reduce the likelihood of further damage.
#4. Don’t Try to Fix It Yourself
As much as you might want to, it’s important that you don’t try to fix the issue by yourself. Water main lines are buried deep underground and require specialized equipment, excavation techniques, and permits.
The damage may be much worse than it initially appears and require a water main replacement, not just a patch. If you try to DIY this, then you are likely to encounter repeated failures, higher costs, and code violations.
#5. Document Damage for Insurance Purposes
Document everything. Take photos and videos of affected areas and keep all repair invoices and estimates.
During emergency situations, many homeowners forget to keep track of the damage for future insurance claims, as it is likely that your homeowners’ insurance policy offers some level of coverage for damage related to sudden plumbing failures.
#6. Call an Emergency Plumber in Willow Grove
One of the most urgent plumbing emergencies that homeowners face is a broken water main. Don’t delay getting help, especially if temperatures remain low, as frozen ground can worsen the situation.
Reasons You Need an Emergency Plumber in Willow Grove
- Locate the exact source of the break
- Determine if a repair or full water main replacement is necessary
- Safely excavate and repair or replace the damaged pipe
- Restore water service while meeting local plumbing codes
Trust Cooper Mechanical Services with All Your Water Main Needs
Whatever damage has been done, Cooper Mechanical Services is here to help. We are experts in our field and, with almost 100 years of experience, we have seen everything over the years.
Call us today to get the help you need, fast.