Your pipe burst and there's water everywhere.
If water suddenly begins gushing from your washer, toilet, or sink, you’ve probably burst a pipe. It's a serious problem, but if you act quickly, you can mitigate most of the damage. Mold, for example, won't start to grow for at least 24 hours.
Your first step? Take a deep breath. The water is running and the clock is ticking, but panic will slow you down. Quick action will mitigate a lot of flood damage from a burst pipe. So put your game face on, call a plumber and
Modernistic's 24-hour emergency restoration team, and let's get ready to tackle this.
Cut the power and turn off the water.
Water conducts electricity, and the two make a dangerous combination. To protect yourself and your family from serious injuries or even death, turn off the power to the flooded area and unplug nearby electrical appliances.
If the water is still running, shut it off. Check for any electrical appliances nearby, but be careful, especially if you'll need to wade through water to reach the shut-off valve. If you have any reason to doubt your ability to safely shut off the water or electricity, stand back and wait for help to arrive.
Be aware of potential dangers from pollution.
Clean water running from the kitchen sink is unlikely to be polluted, but it can pick up grime and bacteria as it flows across the carpet or down the walls. Sewage from a toilet, on the other hand, will almost definitely carry harmful bacteria.
So what should you do? Wear gloves and boots if you can, and be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after the project. Be especially careful not to ingest any of the water, and keep an eye on children and pets who may be tempted to splash around.
Modernistic's team will arrive in about an hour. What can you do until then?
Your homeowner’s insurance almost definitely covers damage from burst pipes, especially if you haven't neglected routine maintenance or ignored minor problems. Grab a plastic bag or something waterproof to keep your camera secure and dry. As you survey flood damage from a burst pipe, snap photos for documentation. With this in hand, you'll be more prepared to talk with your insurance agent about making claims.
When Modernistic's crew arrives, you can leave further documentation to us.
Remove carpet, furniture, and valuables.
Do any valuables or heirlooms look salvageable? If so, move them to a dry place as soon as possible to prevent further damage or loss. Don't spend too much time cleaning them, though -- if there's anything you can save for later, save it for later.
Unfortunately, many soaked items, like rugs and furniture, may not be salvageable. If anything looks too heavy or dangerous to remove, leave it – our expert crews will take care of it when they arrive. If the weather permits, and if you can do so easily and safely, you can hang rugs and other small items outside to dry.
Sop, mop, and remove the water.
The next step is to remove standing water, a task that becomes more difficult as the water gets deeper. If you're lucky, all you'll need is a mop and some towels to sop up the water. Once you finish, discard or thoroughly wash any sponges or towels you used. If you're not so lucky and the water is too deep, wait for our crews to remove it.
Between the cracks and behind the drywall
Water damage can seep deep into your walls, floor, and ceiling, so a mop won't be able to get all of it. Modernistic's team will evaluate the area, identifying what's been affected and how badly. After that, we'll provide you with an itemized list of recommended services and a price quote.
Our professional, trained, and certified team will quickly remove water and moisture to minimize further damage. We'll move and protect anything affected by water damage and provide you with industrial-strength air moves and dehumidifiers to dry the area beyond what a towel can do. We monitor and document the moisture levels daily until the area is completely dry.
After this, we'll get to work restoring the damage.
Will my insurance cover flood damage from a burst pipe?
Nobody wants their pipes to burst, but it happens – and that's what insurance is for. Dealing with paperwork and red tape can be a pain, but Modernistic is here to help.
While our crew takes care of the damaged area, we'll also take care of you. We have working relationships with many insurance companies in Michigan, and our teams are familiar with the claim-filing process. We'll document what needs documentation, keep you informed, and make sure your claim isn't overlooked.
It's stressful, but with Modernistic's help, you can handle it.
We'll be with you every step of the way, from assessing damage to filing claims.
Before long, your home will feel like home again.
Serving Grand Rapids and Ada for 40 years.
