What to do if you hit a water pipe when drilling
A digital detector indicates where water pipes and electrical conduits are placed in walls and will prevent you from accidentally hitting a water pipe.
23/12/2022
Hitting a water pipe is enough to make any DIY enthusiast run for the hills.
Using a digital detector lets you know where water pipes and electrical conduits are located in walls and will prevent you from accidentally hitting a water pipe, advises DRP property management in Fairfax.
Holidays are a time when many homeowners have an opportunity to catch up on home maintenance, home repairs, and small home improvement projects. And since we spend most of our year at work or trying to stay on top of things, catching up with essential maintenance and repairs can be hurried to get the job done as quickly as possible.
Drilling into walls is a common task that needs to be done from time to time when doing jobs in and round the house, But when you need to drill into a wall where water pipes (or electrical conduits) might be located, the last thing you want to do is to hit one of these by accident.
It is never a good idea to drill a hole into any wall without first checking. But if you accidentally hit a water pipe you could be in for some very expensive repairs. You could do some DIY repair if you have a limited budget. Check out Kpipe now they have Pipe Repair Kits available. In this article we let you know what must be done in the event that it happens to you.
Always check walls before drilling
Shop for a digital detector that not only shows you the areas to avoid; but will also help you find wooden substructures that you can drill into.
Digital Detectors are devices that let you check behind tiles and inside walls to see what might be there. These devices are designed to help show the location of electrical conduits or cables, and water pipes.
The old saying that prevention is better than cure when it comes to drilling into a wall. You can never be sure how water pipes are arranged behind your walls and that's why you need to use a digital detector like the Bosch UniversalDetect.
This detection device lets you locate pipes in walls, whether they are copper, lead or any other material. Simply select the right mode on the Bosch UniversalDetect and move it over the area where you want to drill the hole. If the LED light turns red, the device has detected a pipe and you should choose another location. If it turns green, this means there are no metal pipes in this area.
What to do if you hit a water pipe
In the event that you accidentally hit a water pipe, every second counts. The more water that spurts out of the pipe, the greater the damage to the walls and fittings in your home. By taking the following steps, you should hopefully be able to keep this damage to a minimum:
1. Turn off at the main stopcock or nearest valve
Before you rush around like a headless chicken, the priority is turn off the water. Some houses have a stopcock in the bathroom or kitchen, but if not, you will probably need to turn off the main water stopcock.
2. Switch off electricity supply at the Distribution Board
To prevent electrocution, especially if there is a lot of water, turn off the electricity at the distribution panel.
3. Call an Emergency Plumber
While you have shut off the water supply, a plumber will need to attend to the damaged pipe and assess what needs to be done for the repair..
4. Get in touch with your home insurer
To cover you for any damage you need to get in touch with your insurance company. They will also advise of the steps that need to be taken. In some instances, the insurer may ask that you take a picture of the pipe and the resulting damage. If you're in rented accommodation, inform your landlord immediately.
Who is responsible for the cost of repairs?
For any damages in a rented house or flat,
your personal liability insurance will pay up –
but only if it's not deemed gross negligence.
For example, if you were drilling directly above
or beneath the bathroom sink – where it's likely
that a water pipe exists – it’s unlikely it’ll
be covered. The same applies to home insurance,
which will only pay out if it was not a case of
gross personal negligence.