How Plumbing Issues Can Cause Flooding in Your Building

3/31/2020 (Permalink)

When you think of flooding, massive storms or overflowing rivers may come to your mind. While these issues may not be unheard of in Golden Glades, FL, there are other water damage concerns you should be aware of. Plumbing problems such as a burst pipe could send water throughout your building, resulting in costly cleanup and restoration. Understanding these risks can help you prepare for or prevent flooding.

Do Your Due Diligence

You can't control the weather or what happens with city sewage systems or water lines. However, you can do your part and protect your building and everything inside if floods threaten your safety. Here are some guidelines for preventing standing water and flooding:

• Make sure your property slopes away from the building.
  
• Regularly clean and maintain the rain gutters and downspouts on your building.
  
• Have a qualified plumber inspect your plumbing system each year.
  
  

When Pipes Break

A burst pipe is one of the most common ways that water can invade a building. If this occurs, you might not see the water right away, as it could hide in walls, under the floor or in ceilings. If you notice your water bill is skyrocketing, or if the water pressure fluctuates considerably, you can suspect that a pipe has broken. Other clues could be that the water smells foul or you see water puddling under sinks. Pipes can break due to age, lack of maintenance or poor construction quality.

When Pipes Freeze

Wintertime can be a headache for plumbers and property owners. When temperatures drop into the single digits and below, the risk of having a frozen pipe goes up. When pipes freeze, the water expands. This could eventually cause leaks or bursts. One of the best ways to keep pipes from freezing is to let the water drip slightly until the temperatures warm up.
Before you call water cleanup specialists to mitigate flood damage from a burst pipe, follow these tips. You can prevent and respond to a burst pipe before the flooding gets too severe.