Many home and building owners in the Rio Rancho, NM area do not consider the possibility of frozen pipes, but they can occur. The temperature in our area does get below freezing at night and when this occurs, your pipes can freeze as well. Frozen pipes are a problem because the ice will expand within the pipe and cause it to burst, resulting in a major leak that can lead to serious damage.
At RestorationMaster, we can help clean and restore the effects of a burst pipe in homes and buildings in Rio Rancho, NM. We use advanced water extraction equipment that will remove the water and the moisture, and we can also restore the building materials and furnishings that are damaged.
Frozen Pipes in New Mexico
The winters in Rio Rancho and throughout New Mexico are relatively mild, but the temperature does routinely drop below freezing at night. Therefore, the pipes in your home or building can freeze overnight if they are not kept warm enough. Water pipes in the uninsulated areas of your home like outside walls and attics are especially vulnerable to freezing. When a pipe freezes, a burst will inevitably follow unless the pipe is thawed out right away. When a pipe bursts, hundreds of gallons of water will spill into the building, quickly causing extensive water damage.
The first thing you need to do when a pipe bursts is shut off the main water supply. After doing this, call our professionals immediately for water damage restoration. We will start by removing the standing water with advanced extraction equipment and thoroughly drying the affected areas with air movers and dehumidifiers. Our technicians will then restore damaged building materials, furnishings, and personal items and take action against mold growth.
Preventing Frozen Pipes
Preventing the pipes in your home or building from freezing in the first place is the best way to avoid pipe bursts. The following tips will help prevent frozen pipes:
- Keep the water trickling slowly out of the faucets, the constant movement within the pipes will prevent freezing
- Open cabinet doors below sinks so that the heat can keep the pipes warm
- Install pipe insulation on pipes in uninsulated areas of the home or building
- Warm uninsulated areas with a space heater, but make sure you are using the heater safely
- Keep the outside water supply off through the winter
Thawing Frozen Pipes
The main signs of a frozen pipe are low water pressure and ice or frost on the pipes themselves. If you believe you have a frozen pipe, follow these tips to locate and thaw the pipe:
- Determine which pipe line has the frozen pipe
- Follow the pipe line from the faucet to find the frozen pipe
- Look for signs of freezing such as frost, ice, and bulges
- Thaw the pipe using a heat lamp or hair dryer, do not use an open flame of any kind
- Be ready to remove drywall if necessary to get to the pipe
- As you thaw the pipe, keep the faucet at the end of the pipe line on slightly so the moving water can help the thawing process
The amount of water that spills out from a burst pipe can cause serious damage, making it important to take preventative action. If you do experience a burst pipe, make sure you contact our professionals at RestorationMaster right after shutting off the water supply. We will provide complete water damage restoration to restore the area affected by the burst. You can reach us 24 hours a day at (505) 814-1411 to deal with the damage from frozen pipes in Rio Rancho, NM.