What To Do When A Water Main Breaks
A few months back, thanks to some sub par work completed by a “contractor”, some City folks were privileged to an surprising site: a city main blasting H20 five stories into the air.
Water main leaks & breaks are certainly nothing new in the older neighborhoods. In newer areas these things are a little less likely.
After A water mason breaks sludge, silt, rust and debris start to show up in a homeowner’s water lines.
After this happens, homeowners are often clueless on what to do, especially when they can’t find outward signs of plumbing damage in their homes.
#1 Flood out the pipes Immediately After a water main break
The easiest way to flood a home’s plumbing lines is to open a large faucet or tap while all other taps remain closed. The bathroom usually has the largest faucets. These are ideal for this task.
Turn on the cold water valve in the tub. Pay attention for a hissing and spitting sound. This a sign that air is still in the line.
Flush the water until it is clear, and no additional air bubbles are released.
The restroom’s tap provides the ideal situation for tackling water main problems. The tub’s faucet is bigger than those that serve the sinks. It can discharge debris particles in the water line without getting backed up.
Trash and other mess stops up the lines in smaller faucets and can cause problems that require costly repairs. Debris can get caught in water lines connected to toilets and sinks. In rare cases appliances, boilers and even water heaters.
Every now and then, a piece of debris is the system is large enough to close off a water supply pipe completely.
If you have no water at all, contact the city’s water and sewer services to see whether they’ve turned off the water to your home as part of a repair process. If they verify the water is on, contact a plumber to help you find and free up the clog.
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#2 Double check your insurance for water main break coverage
It’s equally important to mention that your city won’t pay to repair damage to a your home’s plumbing system, even if the damage occurred as a direct result of the water main break.
Homeowners must be prepared to repair the damages and replace appliances themselves. Often, most homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover “clean water” damage unless you have it specified in the policy.
Check your policy for this coverage now, and take necessary action if your policy won’t pay for water main break damage.
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#3 Install a water main filtration system
One of the single best ways to keep foreign debris out of your plumbing system is to install a water main filtration system. This addition will help reduce sediment, sand and rust that comes from the municipal water supply.
By keeping these contaminants out of your home’s plumbing, you can improve the water quality in your home and reduce the incidence of damage caused by these free-floating hazards.
If you would like more information about a water main filtration system for your home, please contact Fox Valley Plumbing BackFlow Services we’d be happy to recommend and install a whole-house filtration system that will help keep your home’s water fresh and your plumbing and appliances safe from accidental damage.
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