Having a burst water main is not something that happens very often, but when it does, it can be a cause for concern. As water rushes out of the pipes in the street and floods the road, it may be that you are simply inconvenienced by having to wade through the water to your house or have to accept that your garden is now under water and your driveway is covered in silt. When the water subsides, the clean-up afterward is messy but manageable.
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But what happens when the water leak enters the house? If the problem is not dealt with quickly enough, water can cause permanent damage to carpets, laminate flooring and furniture, and maybe those mementos that remind you of precious moments in your family’s life.
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Whether or not you are insured, the inconvenience, mess, and damp smell that is left behind to permeate everything can lead you to dread coming home or force you to book into a hotel or stay with a friend while you allow time for it to be dried, cleaned and aired.
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So what can you do? Well, if you live in Bear Cross, it’s good to be prepared in case you ever have a burst water main.
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Water mains are main pipes that run through roads and supply water to homes and businesses. They usually run underground and carry water from the treatment plant for distribution.
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Prior to 1970, many mains pipes were made of lead, but these have been phased out, and modern service pipes (made up of the communication and supply pipes that bring water into your property) are now made of blue polyethylene or PVC or metal such as copper or steel. Water mains can be very long, up to 50km!
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Most of the time, you will see the water gushing from the pipes, but this isn’t always the case. Oftentimes the first sign you have a water leak may be because pressure has dropped in your system or you have an unusual smell that seeps through the house.
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You may also see brown staining on the walls or ceiling or along the seams of your plasterboard. In extreme cases, you may see a bulge appearing in the ceiling, which is a signal to call out an emergency drainage specialist.
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The sooner you can deal with a leak or burst water main, the quicker you can get to work on fixing it and getting life back to normal.
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If you have a burst water main, it’s essential to find out the cause of the problem. To do this, call your local water company and ask them to send someone out to inspect your property.
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If possible, take photos of any exposed pipes and note which ones are damaged or broken. You should also look for any leaks in nearby areas and report these as well.
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Alternatively, book a CCTV camera drain inspection with Pro Blocked Drains, who will complete a thorough examination of your complete drainage system and report back any areas of concern.
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If you have no water, turn off all taps and valves. Do not use hot water, flush toilets, use washing machines or dishwashers, or run any garden hoses. Do not use fire extinguishers.
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It is quite possible that a burst water main will cause dirt to get into your water. Any sign of discoloration may be a sign of a leak in the system.
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Find out if other people in your neighborhood are also affected, and call Pro Blocked Drains for advice.
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In the meantime,
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Burst water mains are not a common occurrence, but you can still take precautions to minimize your risk.
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We hope that we have given you some useful information to help you deal with the burst water main, but we can never be sure what will happen. If you do experience any problems with your water supply, please contact Pro Blocked Drains on 0800 611 82 99.
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Pro Blocked Drains are a family business with over 20 years of experience in all kinds of drainage problems.
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With nationwide coverage and with engineers in Bear Cross, we can offer you a fast, efficient, friendly local service.
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With Pro Blocked Drains, we guarantee you:
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All you need to do is to contact the best engineers for your drainage. All of our staff members are highly trained and experienced in the industry, so they know exactly what they’re doing when it comes to drainage systems.
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Whatever your drainage problem, we’ll be happy to help! You can contact us on 0800 611 82 99. Learn more information about Drain Unblocking Services.