Preventing Water Damage Before Pipes Freeze in Altamont

2/24/2016 (Permalink)

Don't Allow This Burst Pipe to Flood Your Home with 250 Gallons of Water Per Day

SERVPRO Can Restore Altamont Water Damage If the Pipes Do Freeze

Water damage in Altamont can occur in many ways. A quarter of a million families have homes ruined from water damage due to frozen pipes. Recovering from this water disaster is not an easy fix. A 1/8 inch crack in a pipe can flood your home with up to 250 gallons of water per day. All pipes can freeze and burst under conducive conditions. Take a few simple measures, and save yourself lots of money and aggravation.

What to Do Before the Pipes Freeze
If you insulate the pipes in your home’s crawl space and attic, you are better protecting the plumbing system from freezing. Further, these pipes are the most susceptible to breaking. The more insulation that you use, the more protection you will have to prevent your pipes from freezing that will lead to water damage.

Use heat tape or thermo-controlled heat cables to wrap your pipes. Use only approved products. Follow all installation and operating instructions. Utilize these products where water lines are exposed to the elements or not within range of home heating.

Leaks that would allow cold air inside will need to be sealed. Look for leaks in pipe penetrations and vent openings. Simple caulk or insulation can be used to keep the cold out. When the temperature drops severely, a tiny air opening can freeze a pipe.

Always disconnect garden hoses and cover your outside faucets with foam covers. Covering these exterior faucets reduce the chances of pipes freezing in that span of pipe just inside the house.

Don’t forget to drip warm and cold water from your pipes during the night if the ambient room temperature is close to the freezing point. Dripping your faucets help keep water flowing through the pipes and prevent freezing. Additionally, open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to pipes under sinks and near outside walls. If you are going on vacation, have a friend or neighbor check on your house daily and be sure it’s warm enough to prevent freezing. Shut off your water system and drain it. Call SERVPRO to mitigate any water damage when spotted.

When the Pipes Freeze
Don’t risk it! If you turn on your faucets and no water comes out, leave the faucets turned on and call a plumber right away. If you discover that your water pipes are frozen, turn off the main water valve but leave the taps on. Try to thaw a frozen line with a hair dryer. Warm the pipe from the faucet downward toward the coldest section of pipe. Remember, do not use electrical appliances in water for your safety.

In the event, a pipe does burst, or ice damming has resulted in water intrusion, call SERVPRO to remedy your Altamont water damage. We will guarantee our work to your complete satisfaction and restore your property "Like it never even happened."

We’re Highly Trained Water Damage Specialists

SERVPRO of East Chattanooga specializes in water damage restoration, the cornerstone of our business. We have extensive fire and water damage restoration training, and our process emphasizes regular monitoring and documentation of the drying process from beginning to end. We cheerfully serve our local communities of Altamont, Chattanooga, and Ten Mile. Call us 24/7 for emergency assistance. (423) 326-1406

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