How to Handle a Burst Pipe in a Commercial Building

9/14/2018 (Permalink)

Pipes burst for many different reasons, be sure you know who to call when it happens to your business.

After a pipe burst in your building, whether sewer or water line, there are individual steps you may want to take to prevent any further damage.

Below are six of the most common cleaning and damage tips to use prior to full building restoration.

Ensure Personal Safety

Before any cleaning tips, it is crucial that you and anyone working in the flooded area take certain safety precautions. As the type of water you will be dealing with is likely unknown, you may want to use water repellent gloves, coveralls, and rubber boots. It is also a good idea to wear eye protection.

Shut off Main Power

After a flood from a burst line, it is a good idea to shut off the main power. While your building may not have power, it does not mean that electricity has stopped moving through outlets and other appliances.

Create a Photographic Record

In the plethora of damage tips out there, the tip to make a photographic record of the damage sustained is a good one. Pictures allow you to prove loss to insurance companies, thereby making the claims process a little easier.

Mitigate Further Damage

Another important tip after a burst pipe is to mitigate further damage. In an effort to protect your building from further devastation, you may want to shut off the water supply to your building to stop any further flooding.

Remove Water and Damaged Material

Once you take the above precautions and steps, you can begin removing any excess water using wet vacs and pumps. In addition to the removal of water, you can discard any damaged materials, like carpeting and drywall.

Dry out Facility

After the facility is free of water and damaged goods, you can begin the dry out phase. If you want to streamline this process, you can use dehumidifiers, industrial fans, and other air movers.

While the damage tips above may seem daunting, they are necessary to restoring operation; however, if the process of water damage cleanup seems too much, you can check with the Leawood, Kansas emergency management office for further tips and assistance.