If you’ve ever experienced a frozen pipe burst in your home, then you know how incredibly costly and troublesome it can be. Not only does it lead to expensive water damage repairs, but the slip-and-fall hazard caused by the flood of water can also create an uncomfortable situation for those living in the house. Understanding what causes pipes to freeze and how to prevent it from happening is essential for any homeowner looking to safeguard their property from this potential disaster.
What Is a Frozen Pipe Burst?
A frozen pipe burst is when a frozen water pipe expands due to the frozen water inside and eventually bursts, leading to flooding in your home. This occurs because when water freezes, it expands by approximately 10%. This can be catastrophic for any pipes that are located near cold areas of your home, like an attic or basement, since they’re more likely to freeze.
What Causes Frozen Pipes?
Frozen pipes occur most often when temperatures drop below freezing. The frozen water will cause the inside of the pipes to expand, which leads to increased pressure on the walls of the pipe. Over time, this pressure can weaken and break apart sections of the pipe until it eventually bursts. Other causes of frozen pipes include poor insulation around exposed areas and a lack of preventative maintenance, such as draining all water lines during winter.
Consequences of a Frozen Pipe Burst
Pipe bursts that occur during cold weather can be especially damaging to your home, causing costly repairs and inconveniences. The water from a burst pipe can ruin furniture and appliances and damage walls, floors, and ceilings—often requiring an expensive rebuild of the affected area. In addition to the financial aspects of dealing with this disaster, there is also the potential for health concerns if mold occurs in wet areas due to insufficient drying or disinfection.
How to Prevent Frozen Pipes
The best way to prevent frozen pipes is to keep them from freezing in the first place. This can be done by properly insulating exposed pipes with foam insulation tubes or wrapping them in heating tape. You should also make sure any gaps or openings around windows, doors and other areas are properly sealed with caulk or weather stripping. Additionally, it’s important to keep your home heated at a consistent temperature — even if you’re away on vacation — so that frozen pipes don’t form due to a drop in temperature. Finally, you should consider running a trickle of water through your pipes when temperatures drop below freezing to help keep them warm.
What Should I Do If I Get a Frozen Pipe Burst?
If your frozen pipe bursts, the first thing you should do is turn off the water at the main shutoff valve to prevent further damage from occurring. Then, contact a professional plumber to help you assess and repair any damage that has occurred. Additionally, it’s important to call an insurance agent as soon as possible to see if your homeowners’ policy covers frozen pipes burst or water damage caused by frozen pipes.
Frozen Pipe Burst Restoration in Minneapolis, MN
Done Right Carpet & Restoration offers frozen pipe burst and water damage restoration services in Minneapolis, MN. Our team of certified technicians is equipped with the latest tools and techniques to quickly assess, repair, and restore water-damaged areas of your home or business. We use advanced drying methods to thoroughly clean up any mess and make sure that the affected area is properly sanitized and safe for you and your family. Contact us today for frozen pipe burst restoration services in Minneapolis, MN.
