Burst Pipes, Now What?

12/10/2021 (Permalink)

Burst Pipes:

It happens more often than you would think. A burst pipe can cause your home or business to flood rapidly, encompassing an entire property in a matter of minutes. Many property owners are overwhelmed when the water damage hits and he outcome looks hopeless..

How Did My Pipes Break?

There are a variety of issues that can cause your pipes to break or burst, but with the cold weather appreaoching you should be most worried about below freezing temperatures. Here are some of the common causes of problems below:

• Rusted or damaged pipes 
• Old plumbing systems
• Cold temperatures below 29 degrees F
• Poorly installed piping
• A sudden increase in your pipes’ water pressure

Types of Damage

A burst pipe can have serious repercussions. One of them is mold growth. The growth of mold is a common issue in homes that have had pipe breaks. Why? Whenever there is moisture, there is the ability for mold growth. When a building undergoes pipe bursts, water damage is everywhere; building materials often deteriorate after a pipe break. Surfaces such as drywall, subloors and laminte almost always need to be replaced after a water damage

The first thing a homeowner should do is call up a water restoration professional like SERVPRO of Freeport, Roosevelt and let our technicians perform their magic to remove water and cleanup any signs of damage. The sooner our technicians are able to come in, the more confident you can be that your home is safe to come back to and no additional repair costs will accrue down the line.

Does Insurance Cover the Cost of Broken and Leaking Pipes?

Though insurance coverage may vary with individual policies, the majority of home insurance policies will generally cover the costs of broken or leaking pipes. If your apartment floods due to another tenant, it's important to get in touch with your insurance agency right away. It's important to connect with the other tenant to see if their policy will cover your property as well.

Some policies may not cover the costs of damage if it is not addressed right away. If broken pipes or other water damage occurs slowly over time, insurance companies will try to deny your claim.

It's important to report right away, as most insurance companies will cover sudden breaks or leaks. To ensure you are fairly compensated, it can be helpful to provide your insurance company with documentation of the damage.