Being prepared for the cold snap this weekend is only the beginning. Prevention is always the most ideal situation, right?

Yet if you discover water damage in your home, even if you were well-prepared, here are the action steps you should take immediately.

10 Action Steps for a Leaking Pipe

1. Shut Off the Water

• Immediately turn off the main water supply. This is crucial to prevent further water damage.
• If you want a FREE tag to help you identify your water main shut-off valve, be sure to reach out to us here. We will get you one to help you and your family quickly locate it during an emergency.

2. Open Faucets

• Once the water supply has been turned off, open the faucets connected to the affected pipe to relieve pressure and facilitate drainage.
• Otherwise, all water in the pipe will continue to leak out through the crack.

3. Call a Professional

• That’s us at Swartz Restoration!
• Call us at 419-331-1024 right away so that we can help you Dryout, Cleanup and Rebuild.

4. Catch Water with Containers

• Place containers under the leaking area to catch water and minimize damage.
• Discard the water into an operating sump pump or another area where the water is removed from the situation.

5. Turn Off Electricity

• If the leak is near electrical appliances, turn off the electricity to that area to avoid the risk of electrical shock.
• If it’s not posing a risk, leave electric on nearby so that fans and dehumidifiers can be powered to help with drying out later.

6. Document the Damage

• Take photos or videos of the damage.
• This documentation may be useful for insurance claims, and for simply telling the catastrophic story to your friends and family!

7. Begin Drying Process

• If safe to do so, start the drying process by using towels and mops.
• Mold can start to develop within 24-48 hours. The quicker the area gets dried out, the less risk of mold there will be.

8. Do Not Use Appliances

• Avoid using appliances or electronics in the affected area until it has been deemed safe by professionals.
• After we are on-site, we can guide you with what to use and not to use.

9. Communicate with Insurance

• Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report the incident and understand the coverage for water damage.
• We will help you navigate the best decision to make as we help you Dryout, Cleanup and Rebuild from this water damage situation.

10. Stay Safe

• Safety is paramount. If there’s any doubt about your safety or the safety of your home, evacuate and wait for professional assistance.
• You must be alive through the experience if you want to be able to tell all about it afterward!

Our hope is that you do not experience water damage in your home from a leaking pipe. Yet no one ever plans to experience water damage.

If you–or someone you know–experiences water damage as a result of the freezing temps this weekend, you can take action.

Be sure to give Swartz Restoration a call right away so we can help you Dryout, Cleanup and Rebuild.

419-331-1024

Stay warm and stay safe!