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Proactive Steps to Prevent Frozen Pipes in the New Year
If you've been devastated by water, mold, fire, and/or smoke damage, know that your cherished possessions, your home or business, can all be restored to pre-damage condition; bringing back your peace of mind.
Whether water, mold, fire, or smoke causes damage to your home or business, the effects are heartbreaking and often life-changing. We at All Clean Restoration understand the devastation and pain these events can cause. We also understand that quick and proper action is crucial to prevent further damage, red tape, and cost.
Call us any time, day or night:
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Preventing water damage due to frozen pipes starts before the temperature drops. Use these tips to keep your water flowing:
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Insulate Vulnerable Pipes: Apply foam insulation to pipes in unheated areas like basements, attics, and crawlspaces.
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Use Heat Tape: For high-risk areas, wrap pipes in UL-approved heat tape to provide consistent warmth.
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Manage Outdoor Faucets: Use indoor shut-off valves to drain water from outdoor lines. At the very least, disconnect all garden hoses to prevent water from backing up into the house and freezing.
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The “Trickle” Method: During extreme cold, keep a slow drip running from the faucet farthest from your water main. Moving water is much harder to freeze.
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Open Cabinet Doors: If you have plumbing on an exterior wall, keep the cabinet doors open to allow warm household air to circulate around the pipes.
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Traveling Tips: If you’re leaving for vacation, keep your thermostat set to at least 55°F. Alternatively, shut off the main water supply and drain the lines by opening the lowest faucet in the house.
What Should I Do if My Pipes Freeze?
If you turn on the tap and nothing comes out, act quickly. The faster you thaw the pipe, the lower the risk of a burst and subsequent water damage.
Safe Thawing Techniques:
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Expose the Area: If pipes are behind a drop ceiling or in a closet, open them up to let heat reach the plumbing.
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Use a Heat Gun or Hair Dryer: Gently warm the frozen section. Never use a blowtorch or open flame, as this is a fire hazard and can damage the pipes.
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Warm Rags: Wrapping the pipe in rags soaked in hot water can provide a slow, safe thaw.
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Check Appliances: If water is off for a long time, monitor your water heater and boiler to ensure they aren’t damaged by the lack of flow.
What Should I Do if a Pipe Breaks?
A burst pipe is a true emergency. Water restoration becomes much more difficult the longer the water sits.
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Shut Off the Water Immediately: You must stop the flow at the source.
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Locate Your Valves: Familiarize yourself with your curb stop (usually near the property line) and your main interior shut-off valve (usually near the water meter).
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Maintain Your Valves: Periodically turn older “gate valves” to prevent corrosion. Newer Teflon-coated ball valves are more reliable but should still be checked annually.
Professional Water Restoration Services
Even a small leak can lead to structural rot and mold growth. If you find yourself facing water damage from a frozen pipe, don’t wait.
All Clean Restoration specializes in rapid-response water restoration. We use professional-grade drying equipment to extract moisture and restore your property to its pre-loss condition.
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All Clean Restoration's Other Services
Whether water, mold, fire, or smoke causes damage to your home or business, the effects are heartbreaking and often life-changing. We at All Clean Restoration understand the devastation and pain these events can cause. We also understand that quick and proper action is crucial to prevent further damage, red tape, and cost.
Licensed | Bonded | Insured
