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Tips to Help Prevent Frozen Pipes from Bursting Near You
1/11/2022 (Permalink)
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Call SERVPRO of Dane County West Today (608) 497-3331. IICRC Certified Firm, 24/7 Emergency Services.
Pipes can freeze and eventually burst in freezing temperatures.
Water has a unique property of expanding as it freezes that can cause pipes to crack and then burst. The ensuing rush of water can cause considerable damage to your property if not addressed quickly. SERVPRO of Dane County West is faster to any size disaster, bringing the latest equipment and training to help make your water damage "Like it never even happened."
Take a few simple steps now to prevent suffering and grief down the road.
- Inspect outdoor faucets. Now. Find the indoor shut-off valve for the outdoor faucet in the basement or crawl space and shut it off. Then open the outdoor faucet to help ensure it relieves pressure and drains completely.
- Make sure that your heating system is maintained regularly. Also, inspect the insulation on all of your plumbing as well as your cold water tank. Units in the attic should be protected with insulated sleeves.
- During severe cold snaps, open cabinets where pipes are exposed so warm air can circulate.
- Third, keep your heat on throughout the winter months. During harsh, cold months, the chances of your pipes freezing increases as the temperature plummets.
- Clean your gutters so melting snow and ice can flow freely
- Open cabinet doors below sinks. It will help allow warm air to circulate.
- Drain your water system if you are away for an extended time.
- Disconnect all gardening hoses and install covers on all outside faucets.
- Wrap pipes nearest exterior walls and in crawl spaces with pipe insulation or with heating tape.
- Close all windows near water pipes; cover or close open-air vents. Freezing temperatures combined with wind drafts can cause pipes to freeze more frequently.
- Heat your basement and consider weather sealing your windows.
- Insulate outside walls and unheated areas of your home.
Monitor Freezing Pipe Conditions:
- The first sign of freezing is reduced water flow from a faucet.
- Check your faucets for water flow and pressure before retiring for the night and again when you wake up.
- Check pipes around your water meter, in unheated areas, near exterior walls, and in crawl spaces.
- Identify cold air drafts coming in from a flue or chimney chase and caulk gaps near pipes.
If a Pipe Freezes:
- If a faucet or pipe inside your house freezes, you can thaw it using a good hairdryer. (For safety purposes, avoid operating a hair dryer around standing water.)
- When thawing a pipe, start thawing it nearest to the faucet. Make sure the faucet is turned on so that melted water can drip out.
If a Pipe Bursts:
- Shut off water at the main valve.
- If the break is in a hot water pipe, the valve on top of the water heater should be closed.
When winter strikes, call SERVPRO of Dane County West to strike back.
The SERVPRO Water Damage Restoration Process
Should you experience water damage from flooding, melted snow, or burst water pipes, we are here 24/7 for emergency fire & water restoration services.
SERVPRO of Dane County West is proud to serve the Dane County, Madison, WI area. Equipped with the training, tools, and experience to quickly and efficiently mitigate water or fire damage and restore your home or business, SERVPRO of Dane County West will help make it "Like it never even happened.”
- 24-Hour Emergency Service.
- IICRC Certified Firm.
- A+ rating from the BBB (Better Business Bureau).
- Angie's List recommended with an A-rated reputation
- 5-Star Google and Facebook rankings.
- We work with your insurance to help manage the insurance process and paperwork for a stress-free claims process.
- General Contractor License #: 1317784
Have Water, Storm, Flood, or Fire Damage?
Call SERVPRO of Dane County West Today (608) 497-3331