Water Damage From Burst Pipes: What You Expect, And What Might Not

Two words that every Connecticut homeowner fears are frozen pipes. In areas with cold winters, it’s an issue that we all want to avoid. With over a hundred days per year of below freezing temperatures, most Norwalk property owners know how to prevent their pipes from freezing, but unexpected issues like extreme weather and power or furnace failures can still put you at risk.

If your plumbing does freeze, the expanding freezing water within your pipes can damage your whole plumbing system. Burst pipes will damage your home in ways that you may expect and understand, but this situation can also cause problems in ways that you may not know about.

As water damage restoration experts, we have seen both the expected and the unexpected when it comes to burst pipes. In this article, we will explain both situations, and how you can get the help you need if the cold winter weather causes damage to your home.

The Types of Damage From Burst Pipes You Might Know About

We have all heard about or perhaps seen photos of homes damaged by completely ruptured pipes. These situations can cause huge floods that you can’t miss. A totally burst pipe will leave you with water flowing everywhere, particularly if you are not at home to immediately see it and stop it. These sudden, catastrophic problems will leave your floors, fixtures, furniture, walls, insulation, and even your electrical system saturated in only minutes or hours.

We have all heard about or perhaps seen photos of homes damaged by completely ruptured pipes. These situations can cause huge floods that you can’t miss. A totally burst pipe will leave you with water flowing everywhere, particularly if you are not at home to immediately see it and stop it. These sudden, catastrophic problems will leave your floors, fixtures, furniture, walls, insulation, and even your electrical system saturated in only minutes or hours.

The Types of Damage from Burst Pipes You Might Not Expect

Freezing temperatures and expanding water can also cause very small cracks in your pipes. These can cause small, slow leaks that you might not notice right away. Your first thought may be that this is not as bad as a huge rupture that causes an equally huge flood. If you catch the small leak right away, you may be right. However, if a small leak goes unnoticed for a long period of time, it can cause serious damage.

Long term moisture left untreated for days, weeks, or months can cause problems that are just as bad as the sudden floods described above. Slow, small leaks can damage both the surfaces and the structure of your home, causing wood to rot and allowing mold and mildew to grow. Mold can grow in drywall, wood framing, flooring, furniture, and even inside your air duct and HVAC system, becoming airborne and spreading through all parts of your home.

How To Get Fast, Professional Help with Water Damage in Westport

If your home has water damage as a result of a burst pipe, there are two things you need to do right away. First, contact a local water damage restoration professional. At Riverside Restoration, we can respond quickly, 24 hours a day and seven days a week. A fast response is one of the best ways to stop the damage, and make the restoration process as easy as possible.

The next thing you should do is contact your homeowners insurance agent. Water damage and freezing issues are extremely common, accounting for almost ¼ of all homeowners insurance claims. Fortunately, water damage from burst pipes is typically covered under your homeowners insurance, and your water damage restoration contractor will be a helpful partner through the claim process. If you need help with a small leak or a big flood, contact Riverside Restoration today.