Coming home to a broken pipe is a very stressful experience, and unfortunately, this is the time of year for it. So, if you’re a homeowner, there are a few simple tasks that you should keep in mind:
- Keep cabinet doors open, especially in colder areas of your home.
- Remember that pipes most often freeze near windows or exterior walls of the home. Make sure that these areas are warm – add an extra heat source, if needed.
- Let at least one faucet in your home run on the coldest nights. With water moving through the pipes, they are much less likely to freeze and burst.
Sometimes, no matter what you do, though, a pipe bursts. When that happens, you need to call us for help right away. This is what you would classify as a true “plumbing emergency,” and it can lead to very costly property damage if left unattended. While you wait for a member of our team to arrive, do the following:
- Turn off your water main.
- Turn off your electricity, if you feel there is risk of electrocution.
- Remove as much water as possible by means of towels, buckets, a shop vac, or any other means available to you.
Once the burst pipe and water leak has been resolved, it is wise to also invest in a dehumidifier to ensure the water damage does not lead to mold or mildew issues in the future. If the burst pipe has caused damage to carpeting, drywall, cabinetry, and other elements of your home, ask us for a referral to a restoration contractor!
KEEP YOUR FAMILY WARM ALL WINTER LONG!
