When a pipe freezes or bursts, it can quickly create a huge problem. Burst pipes can cause extensive water damage and costly repairs. Fortunately, with a few proactive steps, you can protect your home from this winter issue.
At Michael Bonsby HVAC, Plumbing & Electrical, we want to make sure you know how to care for your home. Here are our tips to prevent frozen pipes, how to handle frozen or burst pipes, and when to call us for expert assistance.
Tips To Prevent Your Pipes From Freezing
The best way to protect your home from freezing pipe issues is to keep them from freezing in the first place. There are steps you can take before temperatures drop that can save you from inconvenient and expensive repairs. Here’s how to keep your home safe:
Maintain Consistent Indoor Temperatures
Don’t let your home get too cold. Set your thermostat to at least 55°F at all times, even when you’re away. Keeping consistent warmth in your home helps stop pipes from freezing.
Insulate Pipes
Keep your pipes protected from the cold. Wrap pipes in unheated spaces, like basements, garages, and crawl spaces, with pipe insulation or heat tape. This helps give them a layer of protection against cold air and freezing.
Open Cabinet Doors
This tip may seem simple, but it’s effective. When you keep your cabinet doors open, warm air circulates around plumbing under sinks. Do this in your kitchen and bathrooms.
Let Faucets Drip
Letting your faucets drip isn’t a waste of money! A steady, slow drip from faucets can keep water moving through the pipes. Moving water can lower the risk of the water freezing in the pipes.
Seal Drafts
Keep the cold air out. Use caulk or weather stripping to seal gaps and cracks where cold air might get to exposed pipes.
Disconnect Outdoor Hoses
Keep the outdoors away from the inside of your home. Drain and store your garden hoses for the winter, and cover exterior faucets with insulated caps to prevent freezing.
Frozen Pipes? How to Thaw a Frozen Pipe
So, you have a frozen pipe. What do you do? You need to move quickly, but it’s also important to be safe to reduce damage. Here’s what to do:
Shut off the Water
You need to limit the water that’s trying to flow into the pipe. Turn off the main water supply. This will help avoid a potential burst pipe and stop any further damage.
Apply Gentle Heat
It takes a while for pipes to thaw, so be patient. Carefully use a hair dryer, heating pad, or warm towels to thaw the frozen section of the pipe. Don’t use open flames or anything that uses high heat, as they can cause more harm than good.
Start From the Faucet
Start at the faucet and work backward toward the frozen section to gradually allow pressure to escape and water to flow gently.
When To Call Michael Bonsby HVAC, Plumbing & Electrical
If you can’t locate the frozen section, can’t thaw it safely, or notice damage to the pipe, call Michael Bonsby for professional assistance. Our experienced plumbers are available for fast, reliable service.
What To Do If You Have a Burst Pipe
If you have a burst pipe, there are a few steps you need to take right away. Here’s what you need to do to protect your home from damage:
Locate the Main Water Shut-Off Valve
The first thing you need to do is cut off the water supply to the burst pipe. Find your home’s main water shut-off valve, which is typically located near the water meter, in the basement, or in a utility area, and turn it off.
Drain the System
Let the water out of the broken pipes. Open all faucets to release pressure and allow any remaining water to drain from the pipes.
Contact Michael Bonsby HVAC, Plumbing & Electrical
If you’re suffering from a frozen or burst pipe, the friendly experts at Michael Bonsby are ready to help. Our emergency plumbing team offers immediate repairs for your plumbing system to prevent further damage.
Document the Damage
Don’t clean up! First, take photos of any damaged areas or property. Your insurance claim will depend on having accurate photos.
Why Choose Michael Bonsby HVAC, Plumbing & Electrical for Pipe Repair?
When you have a frozen or burst pipe, knowing you’re in good hands is important. At Michael Bonsby, we provide trusted frozen and burst pipe services. As a family-owned company, we take pride in delivering superior customer service. With our 24/7 emergency plumbing services, we’re available anytime.
We offer upfront pricing with no hidden fees. Plus, our licensed, certified, and insured plumbers have over 20 years of experience.
Contact us for frozen pipe prevention and repair!
