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Drainage & LeaksPlumbingJanuary 16, 2024
Frozen Pipes Burst: A Guide to Repairs
When pipes break, it can cause a miserable mess and cost thousands of dollars. Frozen and burst pipes pose a significant risk during winter, especially if your home is unoccupied throughout the season.
If you’re not prepared for pipes freezing, it can leave you frustrated and trying to clean up all the damage the water did. Fortunately, there are some ways you can prevent the problem or at least significantly reduce the risk.
If a pipe does burst, you should also know that the professionals at Ace Hardware Home Services are here for you so you can get started on the pipe repairs you need. Contact us now for plumbing solutions with transparent pricing and upfront communication every step of the way.
Insulate Exposed Pipes
Ensure all exposed pipes, especially those in unheated areas like basements, attics, or crawl spaces, are properly insulated. Insulation can provide an excellent barrier against extreme temperatures and reduce the risk of freezing.
Seal Up Air Leaks
Inspect your home for gaps or cracks that might allow cold air to reach your pipes. Seal these openings using caulk or insulation to maintain a warmer environment around the pipes and stop them from freezing.
Maintain a Consistent Temperature
Keeping a consistent temperature in your home, especially during cold spells, can reduce the chances of pipe burst damage claims. Even if you're away, set your thermostat to a minimum temperature to prevent the interior from reaching freezing levels.
Open Your Cabinet Doors
Allow warm air to circulate pipes located in cabinets by keeping the cabinet doors open. This is particularly important for pipes under sinks on exterior walls, which may not be easy to insulate and are prone to freezing.
Drip Faucets
When temperatures drop significantly, allow faucets to drip slowly. Water movement can help prevent freezing because the water in the pipes buried under the ground has some geothermal energy and is warmer. You usually only need to drip faucets on your home's exterior walls but don’t forget to drip both the hot and cold sides.
Disconnect Garden Hoses
Before winter sets in, disconnect and drain outdoor hoses. Repair or replace leaking exterior faucets. Install an insulating cover over your faucets for additional protection.
Know the Location of Your Main Water Shut-Off Valve
In an emergency, know the location of your main water shut-off valve. Quickly turning off the water can minimize damage if a pipe does burst.
Taking proper preventive measures can significantly reduce the risk of pipes bursting and the potential for water damage to your home. You may also want to consider water pipe break insurance as part of your homeowner’s coverage to protect you from significant financial loss in the event of a burst pipe.
Most homeowners’ insurance policies do not cover water damage from burst pipes and flood insurance is a seperate policy. A homeowner will need to check with their agent to determine their policy's specifics and whether the coverage is right for them.
What is the average insurance claim for burst pipe water damage?
The average insurance claim for water damage is just over $12,500, and these kinds of claims make up 24% of home insurance claims. That’s a significant percentage of claims and a lot of money to spend unexpectedly on repairing your home.
When should you call a plumber for burst pipes?
At Ace Hardware Home Services, we offer water leak detection and frozen burst pipe repair. If you have a burst pipe or suspect a water leak, call us immediately to get the needed service and support. Water can do much damage quickly; calling us will help reduce that damage.
What will a plumber do and not do after a burst pipe?
A plumber can repair or replace a burst pipe and ensure the water flows through it correctly. However, plumbers don’t handle other aspects of pipe burst restoration after a frozen pipe cleanup or other problems. In other words, any damage your home sustained from the broken pipe or the required repairs must be corrected by other professionals.
If you are a new Ace Hardware Home Services customer, you can also get $50 off your first service. Getting in touch with us after a burst pipe is the right choice to meet your needs and get you back to full use and enjoyment of your home again.
If you’re not prepared for pipes freezing, it can leave you frustrated and trying to clean up all the damage the water did. Fortunately, there are some ways you can prevent the problem or at least significantly reduce the risk.
If a pipe does burst, you should also know that the professionals at Ace Hardware Home Services are here for you so you can get started on the pipe repairs you need. Contact us now for plumbing solutions with transparent pricing and upfront communication every step of the way.
Tips to Prevent Pipes From Bursting
You can’t always guarantee that pipes won’t burst. Even if you take great care of them and do your best to protect them from the cold, there can still be a problem. However, here are some of the best ways to prevent the need for pipe burst cleanup in the future.Insulate Exposed Pipes
Ensure all exposed pipes, especially those in unheated areas like basements, attics, or crawl spaces, are properly insulated. Insulation can provide an excellent barrier against extreme temperatures and reduce the risk of freezing.
Seal Up Air Leaks
Inspect your home for gaps or cracks that might allow cold air to reach your pipes. Seal these openings using caulk or insulation to maintain a warmer environment around the pipes and stop them from freezing.
Maintain a Consistent Temperature
Keeping a consistent temperature in your home, especially during cold spells, can reduce the chances of pipe burst damage claims. Even if you're away, set your thermostat to a minimum temperature to prevent the interior from reaching freezing levels.
Open Your Cabinet Doors
Allow warm air to circulate pipes located in cabinets by keeping the cabinet doors open. This is particularly important for pipes under sinks on exterior walls, which may not be easy to insulate and are prone to freezing.
Drip Faucets
When temperatures drop significantly, allow faucets to drip slowly. Water movement can help prevent freezing because the water in the pipes buried under the ground has some geothermal energy and is warmer. You usually only need to drip faucets on your home's exterior walls but don’t forget to drip both the hot and cold sides.
Disconnect Garden Hoses
Before winter sets in, disconnect and drain outdoor hoses. Repair or replace leaking exterior faucets. Install an insulating cover over your faucets for additional protection.
Know the Location of Your Main Water Shut-Off Valve
In an emergency, know the location of your main water shut-off valve. Quickly turning off the water can minimize damage if a pipe does burst.
Taking proper preventive measures can significantly reduce the risk of pipes bursting and the potential for water damage to your home. You may also want to consider water pipe break insurance as part of your homeowner’s coverage to protect you from significant financial loss in the event of a burst pipe.
FAQ
Can insurance protect against water pipes breaking?Most homeowners’ insurance policies do not cover water damage from burst pipes and flood insurance is a seperate policy. A homeowner will need to check with their agent to determine their policy's specifics and whether the coverage is right for them.
What is the average insurance claim for burst pipe water damage?
The average insurance claim for water damage is just over $12,500, and these kinds of claims make up 24% of home insurance claims. That’s a significant percentage of claims and a lot of money to spend unexpectedly on repairing your home.
When should you call a plumber for burst pipes?
At Ace Hardware Home Services, we offer water leak detection and frozen burst pipe repair. If you have a burst pipe or suspect a water leak, call us immediately to get the needed service and support. Water can do much damage quickly; calling us will help reduce that damage.
What will a plumber do and not do after a burst pipe?
A plumber can repair or replace a burst pipe and ensure the water flows through it correctly. However, plumbers don’t handle other aspects of pipe burst restoration after a frozen pipe cleanup or other problems. In other words, any damage your home sustained from the broken pipe or the required repairs must be corrected by other professionals.
Choose Trusted Professionals for Pipe Protection and Repair
There’s no reason to settle for pipes you can’t trust or live without water to part or all of your house after a burst pipe. In the event of a break or to learn more about our winterization assessment, call us at Ace Hardware Home Services now and get the help you need from trusted professionals.If you are a new Ace Hardware Home Services customer, you can also get $50 off your first service. Getting in touch with us after a burst pipe is the right choice to meet your needs and get you back to full use and enjoyment of your home again.
