The water damage restoration specialists at SERVPRO of Crowley & South Johnson County are aware that a quick response to water damage helps prevent advanced secondary water damage, which can complicate the restoration process. The team understands the disruption, stress, and frustration homeowners face when dealing with a property damage crisis, including water damage from a broken water main. The SERVPRO team offers homeowners several tips for dealing with flooding from a broken water main.
What is a water main?
Homeowners who reside in a densely populated area will most likely obtain their water supply from a municipal source rather than from a private well. The publicly sourced water is delivered to the area by a water main, which refers to pipes buried underground along the streets throughout the neighborhood. Outside the city or neighborhood, the water main is by the road. A network of spurs and pipelines delivers the water to each home. The pipe that delivers the water from the water main to the home is installed with a meter. This meter is the dividing point between the home’s water line and the water main. The repair of any water leaks from the meter to and including the home is the responsibility of the homeowner. Water leaks from the meter to the water main and beyond are the responsibility of the municipality to repair.
What causes the water main to break?
Building codes often require that water lines and other utilities be buried quite deeply to keep the lines from being easily damaged or to keep water lines from freezing. Some causes of water main breaks are:
- The aging of the system
- Equipment failure or defective installation of the pipes
- Digging, drilling, blasting, or boring near the waterline or water main
- Driving over the pipes with heavy equipment
What are some signs that the water main is broken?
A reduction in water pressure or the sudden loss of all water pressure may indicate that a water main has ruptured or that a portion of the water system is out of operation for a time. A massive water main break has the potential to flood an entire home. Signs that a major water line break may have occurred include:
- the sound or smell of water in the street, yard, or under the home
- pooling water or soggy ground when it has not rained
- wet surfaces such as the driveway or sidewalk
- sagging spots around the home’s foundation
- water in the crawl space, basement, or garage
Will insurance cover water damage from a broken water main?
Any water damage from a broken water main on the homeowner’s side of the water meter is typically covered by insurance. When a break in the water main causes water or flood damage to a home or business, the insurance company may deny a damage claim because the damage stemmed from the water main and not from a leak within the homeowner’s property. Take the following steps if the water damage resulted from a broken water main operated by the town or municipality:
- Contact the local town or municipality immediately to repair the broken water main or spur. Let them know that property damage has occurred and that a detailed description of the damage with documentation will be provided as soon as possible.
- Document the event and the damage with pictures, video, and written notes.
- Contact the insurance company. Even though the homeowner may be convinced that the water damage was caused by a broken water main and is not covered by insurance, the policyholder should contact the insurance company to determine if the claim will be covered or denied.
- Reach out to a water damage restoration company to immediately begin the water removal and damage restoration process. SERVPRO professionals will conduct a thorough inspection of the property, including identifying the source of the water damage, assessing the extent of the damage, and providing a written estimate of the needed damage restoration services. This estimate will include copious documentation, including written descriptions and images. This information will prove helpful when dealing with the water company.
- Present an estimate of repair costs to the water authority and seek compensation for damage restoration expenses. Along with the description of damages and the repair estimate, provide evidence that the damage was caused by a water intrusion from the broken water main.
Water damage from sudden or accidental events is often covered by a homeowner’s insurance policy. Water damage resulting from accidentally damaging pipes from the meter to the home or within the home is typically covered by insurance. Water damage from a flood disaster is not covered by a standard homeowner’s policy. Special flood insurance must be purchased.
If a homeowner damages a water pipe or the water main beyond the meter while drilling, blasting, boring, or digging, the homeowner may be held responsible for the payment of repairs or any property damage caused by the incident. Stiff fines could apply if the homeowner failed to have the utilities marked prior to engaging in activity that could lead to the damage of any underground utilities.
As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of Crowley & South Johnson County is close by and ready to respond immediately when a homeowner or business has a water damage emergency and needs restoration or cleaning services. For more information about the water damage restoration company serving Glen Rose, TX contact the office by phone at (817) 297-8588 or by email at office@servprocrowley.com.
