Advice on dealing with Burst Pipes and Water Damage 

A burst pipe is classed as a water emergency – it can cause serious damage to a home’s or business premise’s structure and electrical wiring.

The following steps describe what you should do as soon as you discover a burst pipe...

1.  Turn off the water supply

• Turn off the main stop tap (stop cock) this is normally situated under the kitchen sink or where the service pipe enters your home.
• If water has boon leaking through for some time and the ceilings are bulging – be careful, rooms may not be safe to enter.
• If you notice the leak quickly you can catch dripping water in buckets.  Make a hole in the ceiling to let water out if it starts to bulge.

2. Turn off the water heating system

• Switch off the central heating, immersion heater and any other water heating equipment
• If the central heating uses solid fuel leave it to die out
• Once water heating has shut down turn on the hot taps to help drain the system

3. Turn off the electrics

• Switch off the central heating, immersion heater and any other water heating equipment
• If the central heating uses solid fuel leave it to die out
• Once water heating has shut down turn on the hot taps to help drain the system

4. Call a professional to repair the damage

• Electrical wiring damage by water can be dangerous – you will need to call in a professional when this happens.

Handling the Insurance Claim

1. Call your Insurance Broker to report the loss
 
The bursting of water pipes, tanks or apparatus is a valid peril under most insurance policies, but a number do contain warranties about the length of time a property can be left unoccupied without draining down the water system.  Policyholders must be sure they have complied with limitations for their claim to be met.

2. Install a dehumidifier

The claimant will be expected to take all steps to mitigate the loss and if the water has been running for some hours or days, it is most likely they will need to install a dehumidifier to commence the drying – out process.  Act sooner rather than later, there may well be dearth of dehumidifiers if there is a spate of similar losses.

3. Alternative accommodation or alternative trading premises

 The family can be re-housed under the alternative accommodation section of their policy if the property is uninhabitable.  This means without any of the basic utilities, electricity, gas and water or if the majority of ceilings have collapsed.  Short term accommodation (hotel or friends) should be taken until the insurer’s representative has eventually viewed the damages.  They will give approval for a short to medium term let of a comparable property.  For commercial occupiers where damage is extensive, alternative trading premises may be required.  Cover is usually provided under the Increased Cost of Working sections of a Business Interruption Policy.  For Landlord’s, a claim for loss of rent may be made where tenants move out to accommodate drying and repair works.

4. Redecorating and minor repairs

The full extent of water damages only appears after the property is completely dry and it might take several weeks of drying-out before the full extent can be assessed.  The policyholder should resist the temptation to redecorate too early.  Insurers will not pay for two lots of redecoration.  Minor repairs can be conducted but once again it is prudent to wait until the property dies.

5.  Serious and prolonged water damage

In certain situations where a lot of water has escaped or has been running for some time (where home owners are away on holiday or businesses have closed for the Christmas period or other reasons) serious damage can be inflicted on a property and these claims can run in to very large amounts of money.  In these circumstances we recommend the employment of your own representative, a Chartered Loss Adjuster, to prepare, present and negotiate your own claim.  You may already have Loss Recovery insurance in which case this services will be free but if not you may need to pay a small fee, but expert advice on this type of loss may be very good value in the long run.

Should you require any further assistance or advice please do not hesitate to contact us on 01204 841880.