If you live in a bay area and haven’t checked your pipes recently, it might be time to go do so. Frozen pipes can create some serious problems for homeowners. If they burst, the water could flood your house and cause extensive damage. Make sure to check things out before that happens. You can also prevent frozen pipes by doing a little maintenance on your own.
Here are some common signs of a frozen pipe to look for:
1) A dripping sound.
2) Your water pressure is low.
3) The water appears discolored or rusty, especially near the drains.
4) The pipes are unusually cold to the touch, even after you have re-lit your pilot light(s).
If you suspect a frozen pipe, here are some things you can do:
1) Turn off the water to the pipe.
2) Drip a little bit of hot water near where you suspect the pipe may be frozen. This should slowly thaw it if that is indeed your problem.
3) If the dripping sound continues, try heating up your primary line with a hair dryer or heat lamp. Make sure when using this method not to melt any plastic pipes though! Also, remember to leave all faucets and valves open when using either method. This will make it easier for the water in your house to re-enter the lines without causing too much pressure in one spot and possibly breaking them apart.
4) If turning off your primary line does not stop the dripping sounds (and you haven’t found a leak), then it’s possible that you have multiple lines frozen. If this is the case, try shutting off the water to your entire house and calling a professional plumber.
5) If even heating your primary line doesn’t work, you may need to wait until morning or call in help from a professional plumber. You can also try using heat tape on the pipe if you are handy with tools, but make sure to follow all safety regulations when doing so.
If none of these solutions work for you, call in help immediately! Over time, broken pipes lose their ability to hold pressure and will eventually burst. That is why it is important to get problems fixed before they escalate into more serious. Be aware of your surroundings, especially during the winter months!
What If a Pipe Bursts? – What If the Worst Happens?
If you wake up one morning and find water seeping through your ceiling, it’s time to call a plumber. If the worst does happen and a pipe bursts in your house, here is what you should do:
1) Turn off the main valve for your home if possible.
2) Carefully inspect the damage and begin mopping up any water on the ground or on furniture. Try using towels to soak up as much of the excess moisture as possible and place fans near any wet spots that will not dry quickly enough on their own.
3) Call a professional plumber right away! You can also try shutting off your primary water line yourself if you feel confident enough to do so (though we recommend against this).
4) Clean up the area surrounding the burst pipe. If you can, use a wet dry vacuum to suck up any excess water. You should also place down towels or plastic in the area so that when you do mop it will be easier to remove any excess moisture from your floor.
5) Remove any damaged possessions and dispose of them as soon as possible.
6) Call your insurance company ASAP if you have any damage that is covered by them.
7) If the water damaged more than just your possessions, it’s time to call your landlord or building owner. They may be able to file a claim with their own property insurance company which could potentially help cover any damages you had.
8) Open up all of your cabinets and drawers outside, if possible. If the water caused any mold to grow inside of them it needs to be removed as soon as possible so that you don’t breathe in potentially harmful spores.
9) Make sure to see if there are any open electrical outlets or appliances that got wet. If so, turn off the power to those outlets and throw those appliances away as well.
10) Finally and most importantly: if you suspect that there is any damage to your structure (i.e. foundation or flooring) – call a professional plumber right away! Most home insurance companies will not cover this kind of damage unless you have a special rider for it. Also, a professional plumber is the only person that may be able to tell whether or not you have any damage and if so, how extensive it is.
How Much Does Pipe Bursting Cost?
The cost of pipe bursting varies from job to job since each one can vary in terms of length and materials that need to be used. On average, however, you should expect around $1,000 – $2,000 for a short pipe and between $3,000 and $5,000 for a long one (over 300 ft). Of course these figures can go up or down depending on whether or not you have any special requirements in the job.
How to prevent pipes from freezing?
In most cases, the cold won’t freeze a pipe if your water is flowing. If you turn off all of your faucets and open up any cabinets where a pipe may be running, make sure to shut them before going to bed or going out for an extended period of time. Also make sure to check any crawl spaces in your home. If you live in an area where the temperatures get below zero for several days, that is when you will want to take extra precautions.
You should also find out what kind of insulation your pipes have on them (if any) and how well they are protected from getting cold. Insulated piping systems utilize materials like fiberglass or other plastic products to help insulate the water that is flowing through them. If your pipes have no insulation, you should wrap them in newspapers or thick blankets before going to bed or going out for a while. Also make sure there are no exposed sections of pipe near any outdoor walls or windows so that cold air can’t get inside and freeze them.
Closing Thoughts
A burst pipe is a very inconvenient and costly event to deal with. But, what makes it even worse is if you let the damage spread and go unnoticed for days or weeks at a time. By following these simple steps in this guide you should be able to prevent any major issues from occurring.
If you enjoyed this post and would like more information about property damage and what to do after a home or business disaster, please feel free to Contact Us.