Prevent Secondary Damage After a Pipe Breaks – Here's How

10/11/2018 (Permalink)

Leaking pipe into ceiling in Chardon, OH

Secondary water damage refers to the type of damage that occurs while the initial damage sits and/or is being cleaned up. Typically, this type of damage is far more destructive than the initial damage as it usually results in mold, structural rot and other hazardous conditions. Secondary damage can also occur after the mess from, say, bursting pipes or a flood, has already been remediated. This only happens when remediation efforts are not thorough and performed by a non-professional. You can prevent secondary damage by taking the following measures after an incident involving water:

• Inspect your home for broken pipes and perform fixes where necessary.
• Make sure rooms prone to moisture have proper ventilation.
• Clean up any sitting water as soon as you discover it.
• If an incident does occur, contact a Chardon, OH, water remediation team right away for proper cleanup assistance.

By taking these measures, you can protect your home and your wallet from the consequences of secondary damage.

Dealing With Broken or Burst Pipes

Bursting pipes are one of the most common causes of secondary water damage, especially when the damage occurs when the homeowners are away on vacation. Burst pipes spew out a lot of water and can affect areas beyond what a person can visibly see. When homeowners attempt to clean up the mess on their own, they typically only clean up the immediately affected area. Oftentimes, however, water seeps into the floorboards, the drywall and under appliances, areas that all require attention as well. If you discover a leak, fix the broken pipe. If you're going away on vacation, insulate the pipes. These simple measures can go a long way to preventing damage.

Most people assume that once the initial mess caused by bursting pipes is cleaned up, the danger is gone. That is often not the case. Unless your home was cleaned and dried out by a professional water remediation company, the risk of secondary damage remains.