The climate got pretty cold this winter. But with these warmer temperatures coming through out of nowhere, all the recent snow and ice is beginning to melt away. You might think that frozen plumbing pipes are a common phone call to the local plumber, but the truth is, the melting of snow and ice is when the calls start coming in. Once the ice within frozen plumbing pipes start to melt, pipe ruptures become apparent because they present themselves in the form of water leaks.
If you have just discovered that one of your indoor or outdoor plumbing pipes burst as a result of the recent freeze-thaw cycle, continue below to learn a step-by-step guide on how to deal with it, safely and in the best interest of your budget.
Frozen Pipe Prevention Advice
Prevention is key when it comes to managing frozen plumbing pipes every winter. The best preventative maintenance for this seasonal plumbing threat is pipe insulation. It is helpful to insulate your plumbing pipes, which can protect them against pipe ruptures if water freezes within them.
If you are leaving for a trip in the winter, it helps to keep your faucet dripping just slightly to prevent the water inside the pipes from freezing while you are away. Overall, a licensed plumber can help you develop the right plumbing plan for your home or office, and effectively safeguard your property against frozen pipes and similar plumbing disasters.
How to Manage a Frozen Pipe Burst
So, your pipes frozen over this winter, and now you have found a ruptured connecter joint pivot or small leak in your piping? Act quickly, and do this:
1) Shut Off the Main Water Supply
You do not want the pipe to continue spewing water all over the place, so immediately react by shutting down the water to the property. Even if it is a small leak or dribble, turning off the water will stop the leak from worsening, or even exploding due to a buildup of pressure.
2) Clean Up Water Spillage
Grab your mop, bucket, and a whole bunch of towels. You do not want the water leakage to sit for a longer period of time. This can cause damages to drywall, floorboards, insulation, and more. Clean up whatever water has pooled around the burst pipe, and standby to clean up more if the leak persists for a while.
3) Warm Up the Pipes With Warming Tape
Please take note: This step might not be something you are capable of doing. Many burst pipe scenarios happen in a location of the plumbing system that is not easily accessible, or even visible, by the average homeowner. If this is your case, move onto step 4, which is to contact a licensed Indianapolis master plumber. They are equipped with the property resources and technologies to locate and identify frozen pipes and pipe ruptures.
On the other hand, you may be able to see and access the frozen pipe if it is, for instance, beneath the sink. If you can access the frozen pipe, your next step would be to attempt to thaw it out. Wrap thermostatic control warming tape around the frozen pipe or use hand warmers. You can purchase this at your local home improvement store or online retailer. Expect to pay between $20 and $200, depending on the length you need. You can also slowly add in heat from heating lamps or hair dryers. But be careful not to apply too much heat.
4) Call a Licensed Plumber
You can’t live with your water shut off forever. So, your next step is to contact a licensed and insured plumbing company in Indianapolis for frozen pipe plumbing repair service. They can address all the specific issues surrounding your pipe burst, and repair all ruptures in a timely manner.
5) Contact Your Insurance Company
Now that you have help on the way and your mess has been mitigated, you are ready to contact your insurance company to discuss what your policy covers. You may need to make a claim for repair.
Are you looking for a qualified plumber to help you deal with a water leak issue in your home or office? Contact Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for frozen pipe repair and water leak repair in Indianapolis, Indiana. We serve residential and commercial clients.
Related Posts:
How to Prevent Frozen Plumbing Pipes This Season
Top 5 Things That Will Destroy Your Plumbing Pipes
Common Types of Plumbing Leaks and How to Spot Them
