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BROKEN PIPE REPAIRS

1. Causes of Broken Pipes

2. Broken Pipe Factors

3. What to Do if You Have a Broken Pipe

4. Have a Broken Pipe? Call Us!

A broken pipe is a plumbing issue that requires immediate attention. Otherwise, severe damage could occur to your home. But should you try to take a DIY approach to this problem? Read 1-800-Plumber +Air of Princeton's guide to determine if you can take care of a broken pipe on your own.

Not all broken pipes are made alike. Keep all of these factors in mind when deciding whether to fix your broken pipe yourself:

Size of the Damage

A small leak can be patched up with some putty, plumber's tape, or a clamp. However, you can't try those remedies with a burst pipe or a sewer line break. These are issues that require the assistance of an expert plumber, like the kind you can find at 1-800-Plumber +Air of Princeton.

Keep in mind, even if you're able to stop a leak yourself, the problem doesn't stop there. A small leak could lead to a burst pipe and further issues. It's a symptom of a much greater issue, and you will need to get your pipes replaced or relined. This is especially important if you're looking to sell your home.

Your Plumbing Experience

Most household plumbing issues aren't too tough, and you can fix them without thinking twice about it. But there's a big difference between unclogging a shower drain and fixing a broken pipe. Even if you're following all of the necessary protocols, you still have a lot to contend with. You could be halfway through before you realize you're in over your head.

Don't go forward with anything you're unsure about. It's totally okay to change your mind and to call a professional plumbing company. At 1-800-Plumber +Air of Princeton, our certified plumbing technicians can help you with fixing your broken pipes and any other plumbing issues.

Equipment

You might've heard the adage that you can fix anything with duct tape. But the truth is you need more than a roll of silver tape to fix a broken pipe. Put it this way: if you were looking to buy a new house, and you were told that the pipes had been patched up with duct tape and/or putty, would you be eager to buy?

Fixing a broken pipe for good requires the right equipment and knowing how to use them. If you've never used, say, a soldering torch before, the learning curve can be quite large. Not knowing how to use your equipment could result in lasting damage.

1-800-Plumber +Air of Princeton can definitely help you with remedying this damage. However, it would be much easier to just call us when you first discover your broken pipe. You should still make sure to shut off the water, though.

What to Do if You Have a Broken Pipe

Let's imagine that as soon as you finish reading this article, you discover a broken pipe or evidence of a broken pipe, such as standing water. Hopefully, that doesn't happen, but these are the steps you should take just in case.

Shut Off Your Water

There might already have been gallons of water flowing out of your burst pipe, but you should still turn off your water to prevent further damage. Your home's water shutoff valve should be readily accessible and easy to turn off. Make sure you know where this is and how to operate it.

Drain Your Faucets

Even after the water is shut off, there might still be some leftover water in your pipes, ready to come out and cause additional water damage. You can avoid this by draining your faucets. Don't worry, it's a very simple process, one you do every day without thinking about it.

Open each faucet in your home, starting at the lower floors and going up. Let the cold water out of these faucets. You should also flush your toilets multiple times. Once you've done this, you should turn off your hot water heater and repeat the process with your faucets, this time letting the hot water out.

Call an Emergency Plumber

Once the water is off, you need to call a plumber who can come right away. It doesn't matter what time it is, as a burst or broken pipe is a problem that simply can't wait. Thankfully, there are many plumbing companies that offer 24-hour emergency plumbing services, including 1-800-Plumber +Air of Princeton.

You can call us any day or time, including weekends and holidays, for emergency plumbing repairs. Our technicians are all properly licensed and trained and can ensure a swift and proper repair to your pipes. We may need to schedule a future appointment for additional services, such as total repiping.

Dry Things Up

You can't just grab a roll of paper towels and expect all your water damage to be resolved. However, there are some other measures you can take. If you have a wet/dry vac, it can be a real lifesaver. Act fast, as the longer you wait, the worse the ensuing water damage and mold can become.

If the damage is bad enough, or you are concerned about the effects of standing water and other issues, you should consider calling a water remediation specialist. These are experts who are trained to resolve water damage in a safe and efficient manner.