Dealing with Frozen, Broken Pipes in Cold Winters
Are your pipes safe from freezing and bursting? Did you remember to check every outdoor faucet, every basement pipe, and take precautions against freezing in case of a below zero chill?
Even when you take every safeguard you can think of, sometimes a deep freeze can break through your carefully thought out defenses and a catastrophe happens. Worst of all, you might not even know what has happened right away – until a thaw comes and suddenly you are ankle deep in water.
Burst pipes from freezing winter weather can cause havoc. Knowing what to do if you find yourself in this particular situation can be the key to a swift cleanup and recovery.
What to do in case of water damage from a broken pipe:
Knowing what steps to take to mitigate damage can save you thousands of dollars. Consider this your disaster preparedness list for freezing pipes!
First, you want to stop the flood of water streaming form the broken pipe. Knowing your house layout and where the most likely culprits are can help. You should also be aware of how and where to turn off the water supply to your home if the problem can’t be solved with a localized water shut off valve.
Second, you need to make sure everyone in the house is safe. If water levels are high, such as in a basement, and heave reached the level of electrical outlets, there is danger. Don’t flick any light switches, get everyone well clear of the danger area, and call for help (you can reach “the dry guys” 24/7 for flood and water damage related emergencies!)
Third, figure out what kind of water is leaking. In most cases, the water will come from a pipe that is carrying clean water, but there have been rare cases of outflow pipes getting clogged and bursting. If the water is contaminated with sewage you will need to get out of the house until the cleanup is done – water and air-borne pathogens can make you and your family sick.
Fourth, call your insurance company. “The dry guys” can work with your insurance to quickly and effectively clean up the mess left by a burst water pipe, and restore your home to normal. We have the knowledge, experience and equipment to get excess water out of your home, clean up your carpets and floors, and even clean area rugs and upholstery that might have been damaged.
A frozen, burst water pipe doesn’t have to be a complete disaster. You can minimize any possible damage by being prepared at all times; and resolve issues quickly by calling in experts when you do have a problem. “The dry guys” are here to help!