Broken Pipes- What Homeowners Need To Know

1/11/2021 (Permalink)

Broken pipes season is upon us. Here is everything you need to know in order to be prepared!

Burst Pipes: It happens more often than you would think. A burst pipe can cause NYC properties to flood in a short period of time, encompassing an entire property in just minutes. Many homeowners are overwhelmed with the water damage and often feel helpless.

While dealing with the effects of a broken pipe can be overwhelming, learning about broken pipes before an issue occurs can help NYC Property Owners take control and know what to do if it ever occurs in their home.

How Did My Pipes Break?

There are a variety of issues that can cause your pipes to break or burst. Common causes of pipe problems include:

• Rusted or old pipes
• Cold temperatures below 29 degrees F
• Improperly installed pipes
• 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.

Additionally, building materials often deteriorate after a pipe break. Common surfaces that almost always need to be replaced upon water damage are laminate surfaces, drywall and subfloors.

The first thing a homeowner should do is call up a water restoration professional like SERVPRO of Midtown Manhattan. Technicians work 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.

Please note that a plumber is able to fix broken pipe and examine other pipes to check for widespread problems. Meanwhile, SERVPRO of Midtown Manhattan Restoration experts can focus on mitigating the damage that has already occurred and can help to restore furniture, documents, electronics and other items that could suffer.

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.

Start Your Claim RIGHT Away

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.

When a broken pipe results in a flood in your home, you may be unsure what to do next. By knowing what causes pipe breaks and what to do next can save homeowners both peace of mind and lower damage repair costs.

Give SERVPRO of Midtown Manhattan a call at 212-768-9400 for immediate help for all water pipe breaks, frozen pipes, or other water damage issues. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook!