How to Deal with Water Damage from Pipes Breaking

We rely on pipes in our homes every day, so when something goes wrong, it can be very disruptive. If a pipe does burst, it can cause a lot of mess in your home, even from a small sink pipe. First clean up the water, then dry out your home, then have the water pipe repaired. It’s best to start the repairs as soon as possible. Here’s what happens and how you can deal with the damage.

Causes of Pipes Breaking

While broken pipes could be caused by many factors from age to earthquakes, here in Minnesota, our cold weather can make broken water pipes a real problem. Whenever the temperature drops below zero, there is an increased risk of freezing or breaking for pipes located in non-insulated parts of the home, like crawl spaces or exterior walls.

When the temperature drops, the water in the pipe may freeze. If that happens, its volume expands forcefully by about nine percent. The pressure inside the pipe goes way up, which can cause a break either where the ice is or at a weak spot within feet of the ice.

For a Small Leak

If you’re dealing with only a small amount of water, you may be able to handle the cleanup by yourself. Here’s what to do:

  1. Turn off the water supply to your home so more water isn’t added to the mess.
  2. Turn off the electric power in your home, especially if there is water near any appliances. Call the electric company if you need to, and don’t step into the water if it could be electrified.
  3. Remove carpets, furniture, and other belongings from the area.
  4. Clean up water on the floor using a mop or shop vac. This step can take some time.
  5. Bring in circulating air either by opening doors and windows (if it isn’t too cold) or using fans. Run a dehumidifier too if you have one.
  6. If you plan to submit an insurance claim, make sure you take photos of the damage.

Call the Professionals

If you have water in more than one room or even more than one floor of your house, or if the water has been there for more than eight hours, call in the professionals to handle the cleanup. A professional restoration company is able to handle cleaning and drying carpets, woodwork, subflooring, and drywall to make sure it is safe, dry, and mold free. The sooner a company can arrive to begin the process, the better, since mold can start to grow within hours.

Pipes Breaking Prevention

There are a few steps you can take to reduce the chance for your pipes to freeze and break. Keep an eye on your pipes when the weather is below freezing. Turn on a faucet just at a drip to reduce pressure in the pipes. Also, keep doors and cabinet doors open, turn up the heat, and run fans to circulate the warm air. Keep the garage door closed if you have one. If you have pipes that are a particular concern, you could invest in a leak detector alarm system that alerts you when it’s wet.

Satin Touch Homes Reinvented Is The Solution

Homes Reinvented is the restoration and remodeling division of Satin Touch, Inc. Our water damage specialists are trained in proper water removal and extraction techniques. We can safely remove water from walls, floors, and crawl spaces without adding to the damage already in your home. We use advanced dehumidification techniques and professional drying equipment to remove the water, prevent mold from growing, and return your home to normal quickly.

In addition, we are fully licensed and insured with liability and pollution insurance. Contact us at Satin Touch Homes Reinvented at any hour if you need water from a broken pipe cleaned up.

Ham Lake, MN Interior & Exterior House Painters

Realtor.com reports that the median listing price for homes in Ham Lake, MN is $379,900. Maintaining your home’s value and curb appeal means keeping your interior and exterior paint in great shape. When you need painting in the Twin Cities area, turn to Satin Touch for exceptional results you will be proud of.

Our Ham Lake, MN Area Painting Services

Here at Satin Touch, we provide a variety of painting services for our Minnesota clients, including:

  • Residential Painting
  • Commercial Painting
  • Wallpaper Installation
  • Deck and Fence Staining
  • Pressure Washing
  • Garage Floor Coatings
  • Man Caves

Our services include everything that’s needed to create a high-quality finished result. For example, if you need drywall repair, surface prep, priming, or wallpaper removal, our team of professional painters can handle that for you. Of course, we always clean up after ourselves and dispose of old paint in an environmentally sound manner. Allow us to assist you with your next painting project and avoid the hassle and frustration involved with doing the work yourself.

Painting Design in Ham Lake, Minnesota

When choosing new paint, there are lots of things to consider. Maybe you want to accent the special features of your home, or would like to create a certain mood in your office. Allow our design team to help you select colors that will accentuate the positive and downplay any areas you are trying to hide.
Aside from choosing the right colors, you must also try to figure out what type of paint to use. That’s no problem for our technicians, who are familiar with the different varieties of paint and their application techniques. Let us help you with paint selection and application to achieve the most professional finish possible.

Exterior Painting in Ham Lake, MN

When it comes to exterior painting, manufacturers all have different guidelines concerning their recommended temperature. We monitor these recommendations very carefully, and will always keep up with the weather forecast to determine the ideal time for outdoor painting. Even in winter, there are often a few days each month where the temperature is suitable for exterior painting. If you are ready to get your house in great shape, don’t wait-contact Satin Touch today.

Interior Painting in Ham Lake, Minnesota

At Satin Touch, we use only the best quality brushes and rollers for even application. We also apply painter’s tape very carefully so that you achieve crisp, even lines. When finished, we will clean up our work area, to include taking up drop cloths and checking for splotches and spills. The only evidence you will have that we were ever even there will be a beautiful, freshly-painted surface.
Our painters will always respect your privacy and perform their work with as little disruption to your routine as possible. Allow us to show you what a difference hiring a professional painter can make.

Why Choose Satin Touch in Ham Lake, MN?

Why should you hire our professional painters rather than doing the work yourself? A few advantages include:

  • Saving the time involved with prepping and painting.
  • Ensuring your surfaces are prepared properly and that the right type of paint is used for each area.
  • Avoiding drips, runs, and streaks that might require a do-over.
  • Eliminating the need to perform cleanup once your project is done.
  • Staying on the ground instead of climbing ladders or scaffolding.

When it comes to your home, there’s no better investment than a fresh coat of paint to keep it looking like new. Take advantage of our reputation and years of experience to provide you with a superior paint job that rivals those found at the Porter Kelsey House or Riverside Hotel. To schedule a consultation, please contact us if you are in Ham Lake, Eden Prairie, New Hope, or Columbia Heights.