Plumbing Emergency | 3 Quick Thinking Steps To Undertake When Your Kitchen Pipe Bursts
Posted on: 12 April 2016
If your kitchen pipe suddenly bursts, then you're dealing with an emergency that needs quick thinking and speedy action to ensure minimal damage to your home. While a qualified plumber best deals with any burst pipe situation, you naturally need to undertake some quick-thinking steps to prevent irreparable damage to your kitchen appliances and other areas of your home because of the burst pipe.
Turn Off The Main Water Supply To The Kitchen
The first thing you need to do when your kitchen pipe bursts is to turn off the main water supply to prevent any further bursts of water from causing damage to your kitchen. The main water supply to the kitchen is a valve typically located under your sink, so it shouldn't be too difficult to find it. Turn the valve to the off position and wait until all the water flows out of the pipe. If any of your wires and electrical appliances are exposed to water, be sure to turn off your electrical mains until a qualified plumber arrives to handle the situation.
Find The Source Of Your Pipe Burst
If your pipes are located inside your walls, then this can be difficult to locate. If your pipes are externally visible, then you probably know exactly where the source of the leak is. If the pipe burst is relatively minor, then you probably have to feel around until you can locate a hole or bulge. Once you are able to locate the source of the burst, make sure all residual water from around the leak is removed. You need to get as much water out as possible to prevent it from affecting the structural integrity of your walls and floors.
Seal The Pipe Burst Temporarily With High-Quality Duct Tape
Once you locate the source of the pipe burst, you will need to seal it with high-quality duct tape until the plumber arrives to fix the problem. This will ensure that no further water leaks through the pipe. You will need to enclose the burst area with several layers of duct tape to secure it completely, but this action should hold the pipe in place until a professional arrives to diagnose and fix the source of your problem. In some instances, simple repair may be a solution, but if the pipe burst is complicated, then the plumber may need to replace the pipeline entirely.
Follow these quick action steps before the plumber arrives to tackle your kitchen pipe burst.
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