As winter approaches, Passaic residents should be mindful of the hazards and consequences of frozen or burst water pipes. According to CostHelper, the average cost to replace a broken water pipe is $900, plus an additional $900 for water damage repairs.
CBJ Passaic Plumbers Services wants to give you all the information you need to understand this common issue, avoid frozen pipes, and know what to do if a pipe breaks.
How Do Pipes Freeze and What Happens?
Frozen water pipes may burst owing to increased pressure since water expands when it freezes. Uninsulated water pipes in your NJ home that are located along exterior walls, attics, basements, crawl spaces, and kitchen cabinets are the most susceptible.
Outside water lines, such as those connecting hoses, sprinkler systems, irrigation systems, or swimming pools, are similarly susceptible if not drained before the arrival of winter.
The older your water pipes are, the more probable it is that frozen water may create significant difficulties and damage. Furthermore, since many modern homes have complicated plumbing systems, a damaged pipe might result in catastrophic damage.
In less than an hour, a single burst pipe may spill up to eight gallons of water each minute, causing thousands of dollars in damage. This might render your home or office inoperable for many weeks.
Prevention Tips
Before winter approaches, a few easy precautions may drastically minimize the probability of frozen or broken water lines. Consider the following safeguards:
Drain the water from your swimming pool and sprinkler lines according to the manufacturer’s directions.
• Unplug and drain any exterior hoses. Turn off the water supply to these hoses and leave the outside valve open to enable any remaining water to drain. Consider installing an insulator on spigots.
• Insulate any exposed water lines that are in danger of freezing.
• Insulate your hot water tank.
• Locate and utilize your home’s main shutoff.
• Keep water lines in your garage closed.
• On really cold days, leave your kitchen and bathroom cupboards open to allow warm air to circulate the pipes.
• Allow a trickle of room-temperature water to flow from the faucets, especially at night when it’s colder.
• Set your thermostat to no lower than 55 degrees.
• If you will be out of town for an extended period, empty the water system by turning off the water supply and running all fixtures until there is no more water flowing.
Warning Signs
Even if precautions are taken, frozen pipes may occur. As a homeowner, be aware of these easy warning signs that indicate a frozen water pipe.
For example, if your water flow is severely decreased or stopped at a particular fixture, you may have frozen water elsewhere in your system. In rare cases, a frozen pipe may leak before exploding. Keep an eye out for wet patches on your walls or ceilings.
If you suspect a pipe has frozen, keep the faucet open. As the frozen part melts, water will flow again, aiding in melting the ice in the tube. Wrap the frozen pipes with hot water-soaked towels to help them defrost.
To warm an area with a potentially frozen pipe, use a heating pad, hair drier, or space heater. However, you must use great care when utilizing electrical equipment near water sources and take fire precautions. A skilled plumber should handle frozen pipes near electrical outlets. For more information.
After a Pipe Bursts
You must act quickly to reduce the damage if you have a burst water pipe. First, switch off your home’s water supply. Before an emergency strikes, you’ll want to know where this valve is.
Turn off any electric appliances near the water flow and move your things out. If feasible, use buckets to catch and gather as much water as possible. Meanwhile, use your kitchen and bathroom faucets to drain any remaining water in your plumbing system via operable drains.
Once you’ve dealt with the immediate situation, call a plumber to repair your pipes. Take photos and write a list of your damages before calling your insurance company.
Call Us for All Your Plumbing Needs
Call our highly educated specialists at CBJ Passaic Plumbers Services in Passaic, NJ, if you have frozen pipes or other plumbing concerns. Call (973) 601-5593 or submit an online service request.
