What Happens When A Water Pipe Bursts In The Home

Water damage in the house is often caused by worn-out pipes that have not been checked on. The place where the pipe is installed greatly determines how much water damage you will face. Large or small a burst pipe’s effects must be felt. Water flowing from the burst will for sure damage your walls, belongings and if it is too extreme it will end up damaging the floor too until the water pumping is stopped and flooded areas drained.

A burst pipe, regardless if it’s major breakage or just a small leak will no doubt damage the interior and exterior of the walls. Furthermore, inside the walls the insulation may get too soaked in the water. This increases the chances of electricity problems hence increasing the risk of starting an electrical fire. Additionally, the more the water stays inside the walls without being drained the more it affects plaster stucco or even wood. When too much water gets into the structural parts of the home there will be intense damage.

Flooring.
Due to pipe leakage, floors in the damaged area may become flooded with water. This depends on the magnitude and the flow of water coming out of the damaged pipes. Carpets, cement floors and even wooden flooring can easily get damaged by water if not drained immediately. Wood and linoleum floors may crack create a perfect spot for mold growth which means you will now have a mold infestation to deal with as well. Cement floors appear to be concrete but if exposed to water for long time cracks will occur hence damaging the floor.

Interiors.
A leaky pipe means that water will accumulate in your kitchen, bathroom or even bedroom or other parts fo the home. Some of these other areas include the bottom of furniture. Water mainly soaks the edges of furniture which can easily lead to damage to the furniture. If the saturation of water is not drained in days it will increase in level reaching electrical outlets which could lead to an electric short. If the levels reach the plugs connected to lamps, television and other household appliances, they will get damaged. Even if the water damage is not extreme it leaves the walls damp and this would be a breeding spot for many types of mold. This is a huge health risk for people with respiratory conditions like asthma.

Prevention.
Homeowners living in extremely cold areas should always turn on pumps that will then act as furnace especially when the house is vacant. When going for a vacation turn off the whole water system if possible. This prevents any water leaks from causing damage before water damage restoration services arrive. Lastly, when leaving for a vacation or long-duration ask your neighbor or even friend to come to check on the house frequently.