6 Steps to Take Care of a Broken Pipe in Your Business

3/22/2019 (Permalink)

Water travels fast and can get everywhere, which means you will want to take action immediately when a pipe breaks.

There are many potential sources of water damage in your business, from flooding during heavy rains to a faulty sprinkler head. One common cause of water damage is a broken pipe. A broken pipe, especially if it goes unnoticed, can cause water to flood into your business and cause extensive damage. Water travels fast and can get everywhere, which means you will want to take action immediately. If your commercial property has a broken pipe, follow these steps to resolve the problem and reduce potential damage.

Step 1: Shut Off the Water

Water from a broken pipe can flood your business with gallons of water in a fairly short amount of time. Turning off the source of water as quickly as possible can help reduce water damage in your business. Shut off the water in your building and leave it off until repairs can be made to the broken pipe.

Step 2: Call In a Plumber

Before using water in your business you want to make sure the cause of the leak is fixed. Call a plumber as soon as possible to come and fix the broken pipe.

Step 3: Collect Water

If you are present when the broken pipe begins to leak water, try to catch and collect as much of the water as you can to minimize potential water damage. Use sturdy buckets or containers to collect water until the water can be shut off. Keep an eye on your buckets and switch them out when they become full.

Step 4: Remove Standing Water

If significant amounts of water have flooded your business space, use buckets, mops, towels or wet vacuums to remove the water. If the standing water is too much for you to handle, call in SERVPRO of North Everett/Lake Stevens/Monroe to help. We have the pumps and equipment to remove water quickly.

Step 5: Dry the Damaged Area

After removing the water, you want to ensure the space is dried completely. Wet or damp areas are great environments for mold growth. Use a dehumidifier to draw moisture out of wet materials and contents and make sure the area has good air flow.

If the water damage has extended into your walls and floors you might want to call in the professionals to make sure all areas are getting dried properly. SERVPRO of North Everett/Lake Stevens/Monroe has the equipment and training to dry and restore your business properly. We use dehumidifiers and air movers to speed up the drying process, and we have monitoring equipment to see the full extent of the damage and to track drying progress.

Step 6: Sanitize Areas with Contaminated Water

Water from a broken pipe is classified as clean water. This water is safe to touch and clean, and doesn't require any special sanitizing techniques. But if left untreated, clean water can become grey water after 48 hours, and gray water becomes black water after 48 hours. If your broken pipe happened over the weekend, or has gone unnoticed for a few days, you may be dealing with contaminated water.

Contaminated water should be dealt with caution and needs to be dried, cleaned and sanitized properly before the area is used. Proper treatment, cleaning, and drying of properties damaged by contaminated water require special knowledge and equipment. If you suspect water may be contaminated, be sure to give SERVPRO of North Everett/Lake Stevens/Monroe a call. We know how to best identify contaminated water and we have the equipment and training to take care of it for you.

If your business experiences extensive water damage from a broken pipe, be sure to give SERVPRO of North Everett/Lake Stevens/Monroe a call. We have the experience necessary to determine the source and extent of the damage. We identify and fix the root of the problem as well as the resulting damage. We work hard to restore your property as efficiently as possible.

No matter the time of day or night, we offer you the services you need. Call us 24/7 at 360-243-8313 for professional, timely service.