Minor faucet drips may make it seem like the plumbing is nothing to worry about, but there are situations in which you must take prompt action. Burst pipes, which commonly occur when standing water in pipes freezes and expands, can lead to thousands of gallons of water damage in mere hours. Follow these steps to contain the damage, minimize risk to yourself and other building occupants, and preserve your company’s assets.
Follow Flood Safety Practices
Although you know the water is coming from the pipes, you should still follow general flood safety practices. Before you shut off electrical power to the area, avoid walking through standing water, even when it is only an inch deep. If you must reach into pooling water, use proper gloves to protect your hands. You may need one layer to protect your hands from sharp objects, and another to prevent injury due to potentially toxic substances.
Shut Off the Water Supply
The key to minimizing water damage and risk to building occupants is to shut off the water supply to the building. It’s wise to know the location of the water shutoff valve and understand how to use it. If you cannot find the building’s main shutoff valve or do not have access to it, turn off water to faucets, fixtures, and appliances. These steps can reduce or stop the flow of water, so you can attend to the damage caused by it.
Alert Customers and Employees
As soon as you notice the burst pipe, alert customers, employees, and other people in the building. Ideally, you already have practices in place that your employees can use to guide guests from the building and close it to other visitors. Be concise and direct in your instruction and avoid getting stuck in conversation with customers who are reluctant to leave. Clarify that the issue is one of safety and you must attend to it immediately.
Request Plumbing Assistance
Keep the contact information for a plumber in your area who provides emergency plumbing service, and have you or a trained employee call them for help. Plumbers may take hours or even days to attend to the emergency, depending on their existing workload and the priority of the leak. Ask if there is anything you can do before they arrive to reduce the damage and ensure safety while you wait for them.
Turn Off Electrical Connections in the Affected Area
Electricity and water don’t mix safely, so you should shut off electricity to the affected area. If you aren’t sure of the leak source, consider turning off all power to the building until you can better assess the situation. This step may seem extreme, but it is critical to maintain safety for you and others in the building. Keep flashlights available to help you move through dark rooms.
Identify Location of the Burst Pipe
To speed mitigation, see if you can identify the location of the burst pipe. Pipes are more likely to burst in areas that are underground, exposed outside, or unconditioned. If you have a building with an unheated basement, you should look there first. Exposed pipes outside are also prone to freezing and bursting. Keep in mind that there may be more than one damaged pipe, and the source of pooling water may be located under the floor or ground.
Contain Water Damage
Although you shouldn’t be wading through knee-deep water in the building, you can and should take steps to contain water damage. If the leak is minor and you caught it quickly, you may be able to get away with using towels and buckets to contain the affected area and keep the water from spreading. Use plastic sheets to keep unaffected areas on the same level dry.
Prevent Plumbing Damage in the Future
In most circumstances, burst pipes are preventable. You just have to follow the right practices to ensure it:
- Keep heat settings to 55 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, even when the building is closed.
- Run faucets at a slow drip during power outages in winter.
- Insulate exposed pipes, especially outside.
- Drain and winterize outdoor sprinkling systems.
- Encourage the building owner to provide safe heat sources for the basement.
- Replace worn pipes and fittings, such as Schedule 40 couplings, as they age or deteriorate.
An ounce of prevention can be worth many gallons of cure in this situation.
As a manager, you have to maintain the building’s use and safety as much as you manage employees and workloads. By taking decisive action to minimize the damage and dangers inherent with a burst pipe, you can help preserve the organization’s ability to function.
AUTHOR BIO: Khris Kaylor is IT Manager at Maxx Supply, a leading distributor of PVC supplies. Kaylor began his IT career in 1995 and holds an MCSE certification. With a decade of experience in POS systems — including installation, programming, training and support — he later transitioned to hardware and software support. Kaylor has also collaborated on managing multiple brand websites within the food and beverage industry.