Water Damage From Frozen Pipes in Charlotte NC

Frozen… but not Broken

When most people think of frozen pipes in their home, they automatically think of broken pipes  making a huge mess everywhere. It soaks the carpet, subfloors, walls and more, requiring the attention of a water damage professional. But many times, a frozen pipe doesn’t necessarily become a broken pipe. You might have experienced this yourself: You go into a bathroom, during a really cold part of winter, turn on the faucet and either nothing comes out or only a trickle. This is something that must be dealt with quickly before the pipe actually breaks and creates a larger problem.
 
​Prevention is the best course of action. Here are some things you can do when temperatures dip well below freezing:
 

1. Take control of the temperature in your home. Some people will set the temperature lower to save money especially when leaving for a few days. Keep your home at 60 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Install a thermostat that you can control remotely with your smartphone so you can monitor your home 24/7 while traveling.
2. When temperatures are extremely cold and you're at home, open kitchen and bathroom cabinets to allow warmer air to flow among the pipes. For sinks that have had their pipes freeze in the past or that you feel might freeze, allow a slow trickle of water to run.
3. Keep garage doors closed if you have water supply pipes in the walls or ceiling of your garage, especially when a bathroom is next to or above a garage. When you pull your car into the garage, shut the garage door immediately so the heat from the engine can help warm the garage.

 
However, if a frozen pipe does happen your only option is to thaw it. This might take some time. Warm up your house and use safe heat, such as a hair dryer, to warm the area where the pipe is frozen. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or any other heat source fired by fuel and don’t use open flames. If you can’t determine where the frozen pipe is, a plumbing company can help.
 
And, of course, if the worst happens and a pipe does break, call us at Mae's Carpet Cleaning 704-904-2964 or book online!

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