What to Do When a Water Main Breaks

Did you know that water main breaks happen in the US every two minutes? That’s right, even when this major plumbing crisis isn’t as stubborn as your home plumbing woes, you’re still likely to experience this at least once, considering its staggering frequency.

When a water main breaks, your property is immediately at risk of serious flooding, water contamination, and water damage. If you’re dealing with one, you need to act fast to minimize its negative impact and prevent things from getting worse. 

So, what should you do? Peach Plumbing & Drain gives you this step-by-step guide on how to react if you ever encounter this plumbing emergency.

1. Avoid the Area

The last thing you want to do is be exposed to the serious hazards of an area where a water main breaks. Besides the slippery roads, you can also get infections if you go down the flood or, worse, get electrocuted from exposed wires. Hence, your priority is to avoid nearing the area until authorities deem it safe.

2. Alert Authorities

Once you’re safe, reach out to your local water utility or city authorities right away, especially if you’re the first to discover the emergency. They’ll need to check out the damage and start fixing the issue urgently before anyone gets into an accident or before properties suffer from serious water damage. Even when emergency crews might already be on the scene, ringing your local hotlines just to be sure they’re well aware of the situation is never a bad idea.

3. Turn Off the Water Supply

If the water main break is affecting your property, you’ll want to turn off your water supply as soon as you can. Look for the water shutoff valve—usually near the water meter—and give it a turn. This is key to diverting flood water from getting into your pipes or your home, saving you from costly damages later on.

4. Cut Down on Water Use

Even if you didn’t feel the immediate effect of a water main break in your water supply, it would be best to limit your water use as much as possible. Usually, when breaks happen, water pressure can fluctuate, and using less water will help prevent any extra strain on the system. On top of that, you can’t be sure that the water supply will get back to normal anytime soon, so you might as well conserve your water supply for now. 

5. Check for Water Quality Issues

Once the water supply resumes, your next concern should be your water quality and safety. Sometimes, water main breaks can introduce contaminants or cause discolored water. If you notice cloudy, discolored, or foul-smelling water, it’s best to avoid drinking it or using it for cooking.

Contact your local water utility to report the issue, and wait for confirmation that it’s safe before using the water. You can also ring up your local plumber for a quick water testing service for a more confident quality check.

6. Inspect for Damages

Should your local authorities take longer to resolve the water main break, it’s only fitting to inspect your property for flood water intrusion or water damage. Check your floors, walls, and electrical systems for any signs of damage. If you notice any issues, contact a professional plumber or water damage restoration expert to help you address the damage before it worsens.

If you think there might be damage to your supply line, schedule a water line repair right away. This will help thwart premature pipe corrosion, water contamination, or problems with your system down the line.

7. Follow Updates

Make sure to stay updated on the repair progress from your local water utility. They’ll let you know when the water supply will be back on or if there are any extra steps you need to take. Keep an eye on local news, community alerts, or the utility’s social media for the latest information.

Keep The Effects of Water Main Breaks Under Control with Peach Plumbing & Drain

While water main breaks are often beyond your control, you can still minimize damage by knowing how to react. 

At Peach Plumbing & Drain, we specialize in providing fast and reliable plumbing repairs and preventative maintenance to help manage the effects of water main breaks in your home or property. Emergencies like these are one of our top priorities, so you can rest assured that we’ll be at your doorsteps without delay!

Call Peach Plumbing & Drain today for a free estimate or emergency repairs!