What to Do About Frozen Pipes in DC Frozen Pipes in DC It is no secret that winter is officially here. With freezing temperatures and snowstorms predicted to hit the East Coast, it is time to prepare. Grab warm blankets from your closet, load up on hot tea, and prepare yourself for hibernation. However, all the preparation in the world won’t stop things from going wrong this winter season. Frozen pipes in DC are the most common and costliest accidents to affect homeowners. As the weather begins to freeze, stagnant water in your pipes can solidify and burst to cause damage in your home. In this article, we have provided steps to help prevent as well as alleviate frozen pipes. Also, we will provide useful information if you are already the victim of bursting pipes. Keep Your Pipes Flowing To begin, the most common reason for frozen pipes is stagnant water. When the temperatures dip below freezing, turn on the sinks in your home. This will allow the water in your pipes to flow and make it much harder for them to freeze. A downside to this solution is the higher water bills that will come from the constantly flowing water. Use External Heating Sources If you are afraid that your pipes are freezing, place an external heating source close to your pipes. For example, buying a space heater or heat lamp and putting it close to your pipes will help break apart the ice before it can form. A downside of this solution is the high electricity cost that may occur during the winter. Keep Your Thermostat on Day and Night To help thaw your frozen pipes, do not let your thermostat fall below 55 degrees. Keeping your home temperature warm and consistent is the best way to keep your pipes warm and water flowing. What to Do If Your Pipes Burst Unfortunately, no matter how much preparation you do, pipes can still burst. It is vital to act fast to avoid catastrophic property damage. First, you need to shut off your main water supply to prevent more considerable flooding. Second, call us at DC Water Restoration. With a response time of 30 to 60 minutes, we will assess the damage quickly. After we determine the damage, we will be able to provide any water cleanup that is required. Third, contact your insurance company to open a claim. Burst pipes can cost thousands of dollars in damages. The sooner you open an insurance claim, the sooner you can receive financial compensation to begin needed repairs to your home. Preparation is Key Frozen pipes in DC should be taken seriously. You must have key elements in place before the winter season begins. Inspect your pipes to make sure there are no cracks or other defects. Have heating sources like heat lamps and space heaters ready to go at a moment’s notice. Also, have DC Water Restoration’s contact info in a safe place so you can contact us on short notice. Stay safe, stay smart, and stay dry.
How to Thaw Your Frozen Water Pipes What to Do if Your Water Pipes Freeze Frozen water pipes can cause lots of damage fast. If you suspect that one of your pipes has frozen water, you absolutely need to unfreeze it right away. How do you do that? The instructions below will help. Find the Frozen Water Pipes First of all, you’ll need to find the frozen water pipes. If you already know which pipe has frozen, skip this step and move on to the next one. Otherwise, start by turning on each of your home’s faucets, letting them drip. If you find a blocked faucet, then the frozen pipe is leading to that spot. Check the pipes that are directly under the faucet, and then follow the pipes until they disappear behind a wall. Still haven’t found the frozen spot? Look in your home’s uninsulated areas like the attic, crawlspace, and basement. You can find the frozen spot by looking for cracks and bulges. You can also feel for places that are colder than the rest, or tap on the pipes with a metal tool to find the spots that sound less hollow than the rest. Heat the Affected Areas Once you’ve found the frozen water pipes, you’ll want to heat them until the water can flow freely again. If you already have a leak in the pipes, then shut off the main water valve and call a pipe repair specialist. If the pipe isn’t damaged yet, then you can simply warm it until the water thaws. Don’t heat your pipes too fast. Use a slow, relatively gentle method like a hair dryer. Some pipe pieces can’t be exposed to extreme temperatures without sustaining damage. Prevent Further Damage Next, it’s important that you prevent more damage and frozen water pipes. Make sure that you keep your heat running. A lot of people keep their heaters running as low as possible to save money. However, your pipes need indoor heating, too. Keep your home warm enough to prevent frozen pipes. If you haven’t already turned on your faucets, go ahead and do that now. Let the faucets drip. Flowing water won’t freeze nearly as easily as standing water. Make sure that all of your pipes get enough heat exposure, and insulate any uninsulated areas. Get Help for Standing Water Damage If you have standing water damage from frozen water pipes, then you’ll need help for that, too. DC Water Restoration can take care of it. We handle extraction, cleanup, and much more. If you have water damage, contact us now. We’re ready to get your home safe and dry again.