As winter sets in and temperatures drop, many homes are at risk of leaks and burst pipes due to the cold. Once a pipe freezes, your home can flood fast, leading to extensive water damage if it’s not handled correctly. This is a problem not only because of staining and warping but also because it can introduce a major mold problem to your home. If you have a burst pipe, here’s what you should do about it.

Turn Off the Water

Cut off the water supply to the damaged pipe with the main shut-off valve. This can usually be found either on an exterior wall or in your basement. If you don’t know where the shut-off valve is, have your plumber help you during the next annual maintenance appointment.

Call a Plumber

The sooner you can get the leak fixed, the less water damage you’ll have to deal with in the long run. Replacing a burst pipe is a major plumbing procedure which you should leave to a professional due to potential safety issues.

Schedule Pumping & Drying Services

You need to act quickly to get all of the water out of your carpet, walls, and other areas before it can cause too much damage. A professional with heavy duty drying equipment is your best option because they can get everything dry much more quickly than you could alone. They might use pumps, fans, and upholstery and carpet cleaning appliances to remove as much water as possible and clean up after the flood.

Follow Up

After your home is dry, you should have it assessed for damage and mold risk. You might need to replace the carpet or drywall if they were wet for too long. Moving forward, watch for signs you might need mold remediation, such as visible mold colonies on walls or in closets and cupboards.

For professional help cleaning up water damage, call America’s Best Cleaning & Restoration Services in La Crosse, WI. Serving Minnesota and Wisconsin, they offer heavy duty drying, mold testing and treatment, and air duct cleaning. To take advantage of almost 30 years of experience, call (608) 782-6995, or visit them online to learn more about their water damage and mold remediation services.