WHAT TO DO IF A PIPE BURSTS AT YOUR BUSINESS

When a pipe bursts at your commercial property, the unexpected water damage can be widespread and disruptive to your business operations. Burst pipes can cause immediate catastrophes and gushing water, while other breakages can lead to initially hidden, but still devastating, impacts. In either case, a swift response and commercial water damage repair are needed as soon as you discover the problem.

Taking fast and well-informed action can help mitigate your property damages and put you on the road to a smooth recovery. By learning to recognize the indicators of a burst pipe and the key steps to follow after discovering this disaster, you can be prepared for a speedy response and set your business up for success.

Discovering a Burst Pipe

Noticeable pipe breaks can occur any time of year but are likely in winter months where the low temperatures and severe cold weather can freeze water in pipes. As the water freezes, it expands and increases the pressure in the pipe, eventually bursting the material and allowing water to escape. Such breaks can lead to rapidly flowing water that floods entire floors of your commercial building.

However, if your property does not experience a dramatic pipe break, you may need a more trained eye to discover the leading signs of this disaster. Keep an eye out for the following markers that may indicate a burst pipe at your property.

Low Water Pressure - If your property’s water is coming out of faucets less strongly, this may indicate water diversion elsewhere, possibly at a broken pipe. If you manage a hotel or multifamily complex, pay attention if guests or tenants report reduced water pressure.
Higher Water Bills - Note increases to your property’s water bill. A sudden, unexpected bill increase could mean water is leaking from a burst pipe.
Noticeable Odors - Smelling a musty, damp, rusty or unusual smell could mean a pipe has burst at your property, especially since such smells may indicate commercial mold damage.
Unusual Sounds - If you hear sounds like trickling, dripping or gurgling from within your building, you may want to look into the noise further, as it could mean a pipe is leaking behind your walls.
Peeling or Bubbling Paint - Peeling or bubbling paint or wallpaper can tell you that a burst pipe may be nearby. The dampness and humidity can cause such peeling and would need to be addressed.
Ceiling or Wall Discoloration - Leaking water can leave behind a discolored area on the ceilings or walls of your commercial property. Look for brown, gray or yellowish blotches.

Tuning into these signs early can help you quickly uncover the issue and begin taking steps to remedy the burst pipe.

Steps To Take After Finding a Burst Pipe

Immediate action is critical after discovering a pipe has burst at your business. The faster you can stop the water from flowing and begin the drying process, the better for your commercial property’s recovery.

Shut Off Water

As a key first step, shut off your property’s water to prevent further flooding. Before disaster ever occurs, you should learn the location of your main water valve so you can quickly stop the water flow in a time-sensitive situation.

The main water valve may be located in your business’:

Mechanical or utility room
Basement
Crawl space
Exterior wall near a faucet
Ground near the front of your building

You may need to contact your building’s management to identify the location if you cannot find or access the valve yourself. Note that you may need a water meter key to efficiently turn off the valve. You may be able to use other tools, like a crescent wrench and screwdriver, to turn the valve, but a water meter key is designed specifically for this task. Also, if your property receives well water, you may have two main shut-off valves at the well and pressure tank.

Opening the faucets at your property following the water shut-off can help drain the remaining water and reduce pressure build-up.

Shut Off Electricity

To reduce the risk of electrocution, shut off the electricity to your property or at least to the flooded section. This is especially true if the burst pipe has led to extensive flooding that has reached electrical sockets or other electrical currents.

The combination of water and flowing electricity can be deadly, as water acts as an electrical conductor and could transfer lethal shocks to someone. Take time to locate your business’ breaker box ahead of time so you can quickly shut off the electricity after turning off the water.

Remove Valuables

If you can safely access the area impacted by the burst pipe, focus on removing valuables. Get critical paper documents, expensive items and important electronics out of the part of your business soaked by water damage.

When extracting valuables, be sure to prioritize safety, however. Don’t enter flooded basements or areas where electricity and water could mix. Be aware that water may be contaminated or unsafe.

After pulling out valuables, don’t despair if some of your valuable contents appear to be damaged beyond repair. A disaster recovery company can help with document restoration services to clean, dry and restore important documents and physical contents. For now, just focus on safely removing the most critical items to prevent further damage.

Start Drying the Water

To prevent your restoration costs from ballooning, you can take steps to begin drying the water and prevent it from standing in one place for too long. Before your plumber, commercial water damage restoration company and insurance adjuster arrive, you can start using tools your business has on hand to remove water. Towels, mops, buckets and pumps, if you have them, can help contain or extract water. Ensure you use gloves and proper protective equipment when attempting to begin drying your property.

However, only begin such early mitigation efforts if you can safely do so and feel comfortable proceeding. Otherwise, prioritize your and your staff’s health and protection and proceed to call professionals to handle all aspects of the water damage restoration.

A professional commercial water damage repair company offers expert and rapid services to dry the water and fully restore your property. If you are using a company like Cotton Global Disaster Solutions (Cotton GDS) with 24/7 rapid response services, they can arrive at your location quickly and begin addressing the issue for you.

Contact a Plumber

To remedy the burst pipe, contact a plumber. They can help find, fix and address the broken pipe and offer guidance on preventing further leaks where the break occurred.

While a plumber will be critical in fixing the immediate issue, you will still need a commercial water damage restoration company to provide comprehensive mitigation services and allow your property to make a full, safe recovery.

Contact a Commercial Restoration Company

As a crucial step for extensive water damage, contact a commercial restoration company to swiftly address the catastrophe. Mold can start developing within 48 hours of the water damage, so time is of the essence. A company like Cotton GDS can provide turnkey restoration and reconstruction solutions to get your business operational quickly after disasters.

With all-in-one water damage mitigation services, including commercial water extraction, structural drying and dehumidification, document restoration and commercial moisture mapping, a company like Cotton GDS can fully restore your property following a pipe burst. Their experience in uncovering the full extent of water damage can help prevent mold growth, further structural impacts and minimize losses from operational downtime due to the disaster.

Contact Your Insurance Company

Begin filing a claim with your insurance after discovering the burst pipe and taking initial steps to address the damage. Be sure to extensively document all of the impacts resulting from the burst pipe with thorough photographs and videos of your damaged property before remediation efforts get fully underway.

A commercial water damage restoration partner like Cotton GDS can partner with your insurance to provide an assessment of the damage and a restoration estimate in an effort to speed up the claims process.

Turnkey Water Damage Repair for Burst Pipes

The impacts of a burst pipe can be far-reaching and greatly impact your operations. However, by following the above key steps and trusting a company like Cotton GDS for turnkey water damage and winter weather restoration services, you can focus on getting back to business.

For seamless solutions, immediate support and a trusted, experienced partner in water damage mitigation, contact Cotton GDS at 877-511-2962 or online. To further prepare for winter-related hazards that can impact your business, download a copy of Cotton GDS’ free Winter Weather Preparedness Guide for peace of mind for your property, no matter what the season brings.