RestorationMaster
Frozen pipes are not a problem that comes to mind for those who live or own a building in Valencia County, NM. However, it is possible for frozen pipes to occur throughout New Mexico. At night, it is common for the temperature to drop below freezing, which is all that needs to happen to put your pipes at risk of freezing. When water in the pipes freezes, it will slowly expand and eventually cause the pipe to burst under the pressure. Burst pipes allow hundreds of gallons of water to spill out, leading to extensive damage.
RestorationMaster can help home and business owners in Valencia County, NM that experience a burst pipe with complete water damage restoration. Our technicians use advanced equipment to remove the water and we will also dry and restore all affected materials.
Frozen Pipes in Valencia County, NM
New Mexico winters are mild during the day, but the temperature generally drops below freezing each night. This alone can put your pipes at risk of freezing, especially pipes in areas that are not properly insulated. Frozen pipes almost always lead to a pipe burst unless you can locate and thaw out the pipe quickly enough. Pipe bursts are extremely damaging, not only to the pipe itself, but also to the surrounding area of the building. Burst pipes have been known to leak hundreds of gallons of water in just a couple of hours.
Shutting off the main water supply should be your first priority if a pipe bursts on your property. Turning off the water right away will help prevent more extensive damage. Once the water is shut off, you need to call our professionals. We at RestorationMaster will arrive with advanced water extraction and drying equipment to remove any standing water and thoroughly dry affected furnishings and building materials. We will then take actions to prevent mold growth and restore the damaged area.
Preventing Frozen Pipes
The best way to protect your property from pipe bursts is to prevent the pipes from freezing. You can prevent frozen pipes by following these tips:
- Turn all faucets on to a trickle to keep the water moving within the pipes
- Open the cabinets under sinks so the heat can get to the pipes and keep them warm
- Insulate pipes in non-insulated areas with electrical tape or pipe insulation
- Put a space heater in non-insulated areas, but always use proper space heater safety
- Turn off the outside water supply during the winter
Thawing Frozen Pipes
You can monitor your property for frozen pipes by checking for low water pressure and the pipes themselves for frost or ice. If a faucet has low water pressure, a pipe leading to that faucet is likely frozen. The following tips will help you find and thaw the frozen pipe:
- Find the pipe line that has the frozen pipe
- Start at the faucet and follow the pipe line until you find the frozen pipe
- Check the pipes for ice, frost, and bulges to figure out which one is frozen
- Use a hair dryer or heat lamp on the frozen pipe to thaw it, never use an open flame such as a blowtorch
- Be prepared to remove a section of drywall to access the froze pipe
- Turn on the faucet at the end of the line to a trickle, the moving water will help thaw the ice
Contact Us for Frozen or Burst Pipes throughout Valencia County, NM
Taking preventative action to keep your pipes from freezing will save the trouble and cost of dealing with the effects of a burst pipe in the winter. If a pipe on your property bursts despite your preventative actions, shut off the water supply and immediately call RestorationMaster. Our technicians will arrive immediately with the right equipment to restore the water damage caused by the pipe burst. We are available 24 hours a day at (505) 814-1411 to respond to burst pipes in Valencia County, NM.