Frozen Pipe Tips Before the Cold Hits:
- INSULATE all exposed pipes in crawl spaces and attics, the ones most susceptible to freezing. Remember: The more insulation, the better protected your pipes will be.
- HEAT TAPE or thermostatically-controlled heat cables can be used to wrap pipes. Use only products approved by an independent testing organization, such as Underwriters Laboratories, and only for the use intended (exterior or interior). Closely follow all manufacturer’s installation and operating instructions.
- SEAL leaks that allow cold air inside, especially near the location of pipes. Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents, and pipes. Use caulk or insulation to keep cold air out and the heat in. With severe wind chill, a tiny opening can let enough cold air inside to cause a pipe to freeze.
- DISCONNECT garden hoses and, if practical, use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This reduces the chance of freezing in the short span of the pipe just inside the house.
When the temps start to drops:
- A TRICKLE of water might be all it takes to keep your pipes from freezing. Let warm water drip overnight, preferably from a faucet on an outside wall.
- OPEN cabinet doors to allow heat to get to uninsulated pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls – this is the easiest preventative measure you can take to try and prevent frozen pipes.
If you are away:
- SET the thermostat no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
- ASK a friend or neighbor to check your house daily to make sure it’s warm enough to prevent freezing, or …
- SHUT OFF and drain the water system. Be aware that if you have a fire protection sprinkler system in your house, it will be deactivated when you shut off the water.
If your pipes freeze:
- DON’T TAKE CHANCES. If you turn on your faucets and nothing comes out, leave the faucets turned on and call a plumber. If you detect your water pipes have frozen, turn off the water at the main shut-off valve in the house; leave the water faucets turned on.
- NEVER try to thaw a pipe with a torch or other open flame. Water damage is preferable to fire damage. You may be able to thaw a frozen pipe with the warm air from a hair dryer. Start by warming the pipe as close to the faucet as possible, working toward the coldest section of pipe.
Water Damage From A Frozen Pipe Burst
Usually, a frozen pipe burst is not often obvious because it is behind walls or in a crawl space leading into the home such as from an outside faucet. The flooding usually is caught much later after the damage has been done. An uncontrolled water leak from a burst water pipe creates extensive flooding and water damage of carpeting, drywall, baseboards and furniture.
Select Restoration understands that suffering a water loss to your home or business from a frozen pipe burst is in itself a difficult situation. The ability to make the necessary repairs depends on the selection of the materials needed during the repair or reconstruction. Select Restoration provides full service general contracting, including all phases of commercial and residential reconstruction, from demolition and permit acquisition through the procurement of occupancy certificates. We operate on accelerated time schedules while ensuring superior quality and workmanship.
Our structural reconstruction services include, but are not limited to:
- Commercial structural reconstruction
- Industrial structural reconstruction
- Residential structural reconstruction
- Flood Damage Restoration, Water Removal, Cleanup, Dry-out
- Complete Fire, Water, Storm Damage Repairs and Full Restoration
- Roofing, Window and Siding Installation
- New construction
- And more
Our qualified project managers have proper training, certification, and experience to oversee your structural reconstruction project and get your property to pre-loss condition—or better. Timely response to your disaster may allow us to stabilize the building, minimizing structural damage, meaning less costly and quicker repairs. If you have experienced structural damage at your home or business, contact us immediately! 1-844-363-7436
At Select Restoration we strive to assist our customers to streamline the water damage restoration process by providing a state of the art showroom in our facility as a time saving convenience for our customers. From builders grade to high end our showroom is filled with hundreds of materials to choose from. whether it is selecting windows, roofing, siding, flooring, counter tops, cabinets, cabinets or other items, your assigned project manager will assist you in making the selections needed to rebuild or repair your property. We are Michigan #1 Choice for water damage restoration services.
Many Michigan homeowners will go on vacation during the coldest months of the year. If there is an extended power failure or a furnace breakdown, a frozen pipe burst can appear very quickly. Call today for emergency water cleanup and water damage repair services repair 1-844-363-7436 or 1-586-791-3900 for non emergency.
