Written by Plumbers of Perth
on 11 October 2021
Are you struggling with a burst pipe? Not to worry! Almost everyone at some point in their lives has to deal with a burst pipe. It’s a curse that plagues most property owners!
So, what do you do if disaster strikes?
We will explain some easy steps you can take to tackle the problem.
1. Don’t panic, and have a quick look
If it’s possible for you to identify where the leak is coming from (even if it is just a general area) this can save you time and money in the long run.
If you cannot find where the leak is coming from, there is no need to worry. You’ll simply need to enlist the expertise of a professional plumber to assist.
2. Turn your water off
After you find the leak, it’s important to turn the water off from your main supply.
In most Australian homes, the main water supply is located in the front of the property, although it could be located anywhere on your property.
It’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the location of your water metre ahead of time, to be prepared for when tragedy strikes.
Once turned off, the water leaking from the burst pipe should stop quickly.
You can run taps or flush the toilet to remove any remaining water in the pipes to move things along.
3. Fix minor damage
If you were able to locate the burst pipe during the beginning stage of the process, you’ll be able to determine the extent of the damage.
If there is a small crack on the affected pipe, you may be able to repair the damage to the pipe yourself without needing to call a plumber. A small amount of pipe sealant can be purchased from your local hardware store.
For other larger cracks, it might be necessary to replace the cracked section of the pipe.
At this stage, we recommend contacting a professional to help (and make the process far easier for you). This is a serious job that should be handled by a professional plumber.
4. Get help
Larger or main pipes are more complicated to repair due to their size and the fact that they can serve multiple outlets through the building.
Enlisting the expertise and experience of a qualified & trained professional to tackle a job of this magnitude will ensure everything is done correctly and won’t cause more problems in the future.
5. Remove any liquid waste
Depending on the size of the burst pipe and the amount of time before you were able to shut off the water supply, there may be a significant amount of water pooling inside your home.
It’s essential to remove as much of the water as possible to prevent any kind of mold growth.
Use old towels to mop up as much of the water as possible. If there is significant damage, then it might be time to enlist the services of a professional cleaner who deals with water damage. If your home is insured, you could also contact your home insurance company to see if there is anything they can do to assist.
6. Let there be water
Once the pipe has been sealed, and the pipe has been fitted, it’s time to turn the water back on!
Don’t forget! Before turning the water supply back on, make sure your taps are turned off, or this could damage the pipes.
Our Hot Tip: If you’re going away for an extended amount of time, turn off the water at the main meter. When you’re on holiday or not home for an extended period of time, this will give you peace of mind to ensure you won’t return home to potentially catastrophic damage.
So there you have it! Some handy tips on how to fix a burst pipe. For more handy advice, see more of our blogs or visit our Facebook page.
