910-814-2502

How much flood damage can broken water pipes do to my house?

by | May 25, 2018 | Water Damage

flood damage-broken water pipe-water restoration-water damage

We’ve had another busy week responding to water losses in our area.  Crawlspaces, bedrooms, bathrooms and hallways have sustained flood damage from broken water and supply lines.  Thousands of dollars of flooring material, insulation and sheet rock have been removed and numerous fans, air movers and dehumidifiers have been set up to dry these homes.  These flooded rooms have left homeowners shocked to see just how fast water can flood a home in a short amount of time (a matter of 3-5 hours).

Water damage accounts for approximately one-fourth of all insurance claims and most of us do not realize that a 1/8-inch crack in a pipe can release up to 250 gallons of water every day.  Imagine if there was a crack in a pipe in your home that occurred just after you left for a 3 day weekend getaway with your family.  Can you picture how you would react if you came home to find water damage from over 700 gallons of water?  While we can’t prevent cracks and broken supply lines, we can limit exposure to water losses while we are away from home for an extended period of time by taking one simple precaution–turning off the water to our homes.

This weekend marking the unofficial start to summer which means it’s time to look forward to weekend trips to the beach and family vacations.  PHC Restoration wants to share these tips to help protect your home from unexpected damage while you are on vacation:

  • Turn the water off at the main water valve.  This will shut off the water to the entire house.
  • If you are unable to turn the main valve off because someone is taking care of your pets or you have an automatic sprinkler system, turn off the water at the supply lines to your sinks, toilets and ice maker.
  • Check and clean gutters to ensure water is flowing away from your home
  • Unplug tvs, computers and other electronic devices that could be damaged by lightning if a severe thunderstorm hit your home while you were away.

If you are still looking for the perfect destination or in the last stages of planning your vacation, Beach Properties of Hilton Head has an ultimate checklist of things to do before leaving on vacation. 

Everyone at PHC Restoration hopes you have a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend and summer vacation.  Remember, we have crews on call 24-hours a day, every day in case your home sustains water damage.  Give us a call at 910-814-2502.