Did Your Outside Faucet Hose Bib Pipe Burst?
We had a pretty good freeze this year, and now that it’s Spring, a lot of homeowners in Central Oregon are turning on their outside faucets to find little to no water coming out of the outside spigot – only to find a jet of water punching through their drywall inside.
In Central Oregon, we see some cold temperatures than our friends in the Valley. Most residents in Bend, Oregon, and the greater Deschutes County, install frost-proof hose bibs. These outside faucets are designed to push the valve deeper into the home and, in theory, away from freezing temperatures to protect pipes from freezing and bursting.
Often, a frozen outside faucet may go unnoticed in the outside spigot is not turned on. The faucet washer – sitting behind the burst pipe – keeps water from flowing out of the crack in the pipe; that, until you go out to water your lawn when the temperatures pick back up in March. Now you have 50 psi of city (or well) water pressure watering your home.
How to Identify a Hose Bib Pipe Burst
- No water coming from an outside spigot when opened
- Low or trickling water coming out of an opened outside faucet
- Hearing running water behind walls
- Water suddenly appearing in rooms not connected to kitchens or bathrooms
- Finding collecting or pooling water in your crawlspace
What Do You Do After An Outside Faucet Leak?
First off – stop the flow of water. Find that shut off valve and prevent more water from coming in. Try to soak up as much of the water from the affected materials as possible to prevent damage and reduce dry times. Next, call a local plumber to locate and repair the leak and contact local water damage mitigation experts.
Contact a Professional Water-Damage Repair Company Immediately
Don’t wait to mitigate – There may be some things you can dry, but there is no room for error with hardwood floors and subfloors. Waiting too long may buckle your floors or create an environment hospitable to mold.
Call ServiceMaster Recovery Specialists 24-7 to send IICRC-Certified Water Damage Recovery Technicians for a free inspection – (541) 240-9817.
