RestorationMaster
Frozen pipes may not be a concern that homeowners in the Albuquerque and Bernalillo, NM area typically have. However, the temperature in the area can drop below freezing at night during the winter which does make your pipes vulnerable to freezing. Water within your pipes can freeze when exposed to cold enough temperatures and the ice will slowly expand, leading to a burst. Burst pipes allow water to rush into your home, quickly causing extensive water damage.
RestorationMaster provides water damage restoration to help clean up the effects of burst pipes in Albuquerque and Bernalillo, NM. Our technicians will effectively extract the water from the burst and thoroughly dry and restore the damaged areas.
Frozen Pipes in New Mexico
The Albuquerque area experiences mild winters compared to the rest of the United States. However, it is important to remember that the temperature regularly drops below freezing come nightfall during the winter months. This means that you have to look out for frozen pipes in your home in the winter, especially in uninsulated areas such as attics and outside walls. Frozen pipes almost always lead to a pipe burst which can spill hundreds of gallons of water into a home or building in a short amount of time.
If a pipe does burst, you need to immediately shut off the water in your home or building. Once the water has been shut off, you need to call our professionals to handle the damage. We have advanced equipment that can remove standing water from the pipe burst as well as moisture from damaged materials like wood, drywall, and furnishings. After we remove the water and moisture, we will restore the damaged areas and ensure that there is no mold growth. Acting quickly is very important to stop the spread of the water and limit the damage.
Preventing Frozen Pipes
You can avoid pipe bursts in your home or building this winter by preventing them from freezing in the first place. Make sure you follow these tips to prevent your pipes from freezing:
- Turn faucets on to a slow drip so that water is constantly moving within the pipes
- Keep cabinet doors below sinks open so the pipes are heated
- Insulate pipes in vulnerable areas with pipe insulation or electrical tape
- Put a space heater in uninsulated areas with pipes, but be sure to use the space heater safely
- Turn outside water supply off in the winter and store your garden hose inside
Thawing Frozen Pipes
Low water pressure and the presence of frost or ice on the pipes are good indicators that a pipe is frozen. These tips will help you find and thaw the frozen pipe:
- Figure out which line includes the frozen pipe
- Trace the pipe line to find the frozen spot
- Check the pipes for frost, ice, or bulges
- Use a hair dryer or heat lamp to thaw out the pipe, never a blowtorch or any type of flame
- Remove drywall if necessary to access the frozen pipe
- Turn the faucet at the end of the pipe line on to a trickle when thawing the pipe
Contact Us
The damage caused by a burst pipe can be very severe which is why you need to do what you can to prevent them from freezing in the first place. If a pipe does burst, turn off the main water supply and contact RestorationMaster to restore the damage. We are available 24 hours a day at (505) 814-1411 to provide emergency water damage restoration for pipes bursts in Albuquerque and Bernalillo, NM.