During freezing temperatures, it’s possible for your home’s pipes to freeze. When pipes freeze, any water that’s inside turns into ice and expands inside, putting pressure on the pipe. With enough pressure, the ice can force the pipe to burst open and spray water in your property.
Without proper warmth/insulation, your property’s pipes are at risk of freezing. If they freeze and burst, then they will cause damage that will cost you thousands.
Burst Pipes
When there’s a pipe burst, it spreads water throughout the area. This is an emergency situation that requires professional help. That said, shut the main water off and reach out to a professional for help. Serving Gaithersburg, MD, RestorationMaster can help properties with our frozen pipe water damage restoration services.
Our professional technicians are well experienced with frozen pipe water damage restoration. We start our services with an immediate response to your call for help. Upon arrival, we remove the excess water from your property and then work to restore the structural damage. If any building materials need to be replaced, we will install replacements.
Finding Frozen Pipes
One of the most difficult things regarding frozen pipes is that they can be located in hidden areas, including your attic and even behind walls.
Once a pipe has burst, take immediate action. Turn the main water off and call us for our water damage restoration services. Our professionals will come to your home with advanced equipment. This equipment will allow us to effectively and efficiently eliminate standing water and moisture from the air and building materials.
How to Prevent Frozen Pipes
You can prevent your pipes from freezing by preparing them for the freezing temperatures. Use the following steps to help prepare your pipes for the cold:
- Using cold water and hot water valves, turn on all faucets to let a low stream flow. This water will run through the pipes and prevent them from freezing up.
- To insulate your water pipes, cover them with insulation or electrical tape.
- If it’s freezing out, consider setting up a heater in areas of your home that tend to be colder, such as the basement, crawlspace, and attic.
- Allow warm air to circulate the pipes in cabinets by opening the cabinet doors.
- Stop water flow for exterior pipes by turning the main water exterior valve off.
What to Do When Finding Frozen Pipes
When water doesn’t flow out of the faucet after turning it on, it might indicate that the pipes have frozen. If this is the case, work on thawing the pipes right away to prevent them from bursting and causing a flood. To thaw your pipes, you can use these tips:
- You can set a space heater or infrared lamp up adjacent to the wall that’s behind the pipe.
- You can remove the drywall in its entirety to access the pipe more easily. Use a blow dryer or heat lamp to thaw it. If you turn the water on, it can help push the ice out by increasing the water pressure.
- Thaw out the pipe by increasing your home’s temperature.
While not the most common occurrence in Maryland, freezing temperatures still happen occasionally. When it does happen, monitor your pipes, and make sure they’re prepared for the cold. If they freeze, then they’re at risk of bursting and causing water damage to your property.
Contact Us
Call (301) 381-2304 to get in touch with RestorationMaster for the water damage restoration services we provide in the aftermath of a burst pipe.