Heavy rains aren’t the only cause of home-damaging floods. Water main breaks are springing up all over the country with alarming frequency, and the effects can be just as devastating as floods from natural causes.
Breaks are unpredictable. They can caused by dry or wet weather causing the ground to shift or just older, deteriorating pipes. Because main breaks strike without warning, it’s important to know what to expect if one happens.
First, call your city’s emergency hotline or 911. Once the emergency has been reported, the authorities will dispatch an investigator and repair crews to work on the break. While the main is being repaired, your water will likely be turned off. This is one reason why you should store 1 gallon of water per person per day in your emergency preparedness kit. If you have water damage in your home, calling an experienced flood restoration company can prevent long-lasting damage and prevent mold and bacteria from taking over.
A water main break can be repaired as quickly as six hours, but a complicated break could take several days to a week to fix. After the waters subside and the main is fixed, you may have to file a claim for damages done to your home, landscaping and personal property. For more information on preparing for an emergency, visit FEMA’s website.