With the unprecedented cold weather that hit our state over the past couple of days, homeowners may now be finding that many of their pipes have burst. Below are some tips to help homeowners navigate through these difficult times.

Some of the ways you will know if a pipe has burst is if you find water leaking through your sheetrock or if water continuously drains from the exterior of your home. If a leak is spotted, you need to act quickly.

If a leak is spotted you should find the home’s main water shut off valve and turn off the water to the home until the leak is fixed.

Documenting the leak will be very important. Once the leak has been contained, you should take as many pictures and videos of the damage as you can. You never know when you will need to prove the extent of the damage. You cannot take enough photos and videos.

After documenting the leak, you should call a licensed plumber to come to your home and assess the leak.

Aside from calling a plumber, you should call your homeowner’s insurance carrier and file a claim immediately. Some carriers impose time requirements when reporting these types of claims. Do not wait. File a claim immediately.

If your insurance carrier tells you that the accident is not covered, you should request a full copy of your policy. Our office will go over the policy with you to confirm your coverage.

If you feel that your insurance carrier does not treat your claim fairly either by underpaying your claim or denying your claim, contact our office for a free case evaluation. We are here to help you through this trying time.