We’re in the fortunate position that it’s currently summertime, and you don’t have to deal with a burst pipe right now. Why’s this? Because it’s a problem that happens when your pipes freeze, which can occur when temperatures outside dip below 30°F. Before you click off this blog post though, this is still a good thing to keep in mind for later! Because not only can we help you fix a burst or frozen pipe, we can help you prevent this problem from occurring altogether.
Read on as we uncover not only what to do when you have a burst (or frozen) pipe, but how to prevent this and other plumbing problems in the future.
Shut Off Water Flow
If you and your family don’t know where your main water shut off is, now is a good time to find out! The best thing you can do to prevent the worst of property damage when a pipe bursts or even leaks is to shut off the water right away.
Call a Professional
Our professionals are highly experienced at repairing (and preventing) burst pipes. Act fast and contact our team so we can not only address the pipe that burst, but take a look at the rest of your plumbing to ensure the problem isn’t going to impact you anywhere else.
Clean Up Water
The worst part about plumbing leaks and burst pipes is the water loss. Sure, it’s a waste of water and money, but more than that, the water can create subsequent problems like mold and mildew growth, which can make you and your family sick.
What Not to do When You Have Frozen Pipes
So let’s say your pipes haven’t burst yet, but they’re frozen. Easy, you can just thaw them out with a hairdryer, right?
Not quite. You see, the problem with this is that pipes burst due to the pressure created during the thawing process. So whether you try to use a hairdryer and/or run hot water, you’re essentially creating the negative pressure inside the pipe to cause it to crack, and therefore burst.
Preventing Burst Pipes
The good news is, that you can prevent burst pipes, and some of the preventive steps you can take any time of the year! For example, you can buy insulating sleeves at any hardware store (think, pool noodles with a slit in them) and place them over exposed pipes that you have in your basement and/or under sinks.
You can also have your plumbing inspected to see how old it is and if it’s susceptible to pinhole leaks and other problems that would make them more likely to burst. If your pipes are made of galvanized steel, for instance, they’re on the older side and could probably use an upgrade.
Other Common Plumbing Problems
We mentioned older plumbing above… if your plumbing pipes are over 40-50 years old, there’s a good chance that the material used for them is outdated, which could lead to messy and expensive problems such as slab leaks, leaks behind drywall, and more.
At Dalton Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, Electric and Fireplaces, Inc., your comfort is our promise! To set up an appointment in the Cedar Rapids area, give us a call at the number above, email customerservice@daltonphc.com or schedule an appointment online, whether it’s for your HVAC needs or a burst pipe in Cedar Rapids, IA.