What To Do If A Pipe Bursts In Your Business

12/29/2020 (Permalink)

A burst pipe in your business can be extremely costly if not handled correctly and efficiently, so taking the appropriate steps will be vital to making sure your machinery, equipment, and products are protected. 

• Professional Help. A professional cleanup organization will arrive right away to assess the damage and to assess any parts of your premises that may have been affected to make sure it is safe. Structural damage is common when large amounts of water are present. 
• Water Main. Turn off any water that is going to the affected area - you can just go to the water main and stop all water for the entire building. This step will help to prevent further issues.
• Standing Water. Soak up any standing water as long as it can be done safely; keep in mind that “black (sewer/contaminated) water” should be avoided as dangerous; leave it for the professionals to handle. Standing water can lead to mold damage and continued damage to flooring and walls, so this is an important step to complete right away.
• Air Flow. Open all doors and windows to begin circulating airflow and start the drying out process. Once the professionals arrive with their industrial-grade equipment, they will be able to complete the process. 
• Electricity. Ensure that the electricity is turned off in the affected areas to prevent shocks and have everyone leave any areas that are affected. Water can easily run into electrical circuits and create injuries. 
• Insurance. You will want to contact your insurance company as soon as you can to let them know what has happened; take pictures and/or video of the damage after the event. A professional water damage remediation company will be able to work with your insurance company to make sure that everything goes smoothly and that you and your workforce can get back to business right away. 

The SERVPRO of Huron and East Seneca Counties team is here to help you any time you experience water damage from a burst pipe in your home or business or from any other kind of flooding. We are water and fire damage cleanup specialists, and we also have the tools and experience necessary to properly prevent and remediate mold.