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Frozen Pipe Damage

When the outside temperature drops below freezing, there is a risk of frozen pipes becoming a problem in homes and buildings. Even in the desert climate of New Mexico, frozen pipes are possible as the nighttime temperature can drop below freezing. When the water within the pipes freezes, it can restrict the flow of the water and as the ice expands within the pipe, it increases the risk of a pipe burst. Pipe bursts can cause water to spill into your property which leads to extensive water damage.

At ServiceMaster of Albuquerque and West Mesa, we provide frozen pipe damage restoration to clean up and repair the damage caused by burst pipes in Albuquerque, NM and all of New Mexico. Our technicians will remove the water that spilled into your home and ensure that the entire affected area is dried and restored. You need to take action immediately when a pipe bursts because the water that spills out can cause extensive damage.

Preventing Frozen Pipes

As mentioned above, frozen pipes can occur any time the outside temperature drops below freezing. The pipes that are most vulnerable to freezing are those in uninsulated areas like attics, basements, and crawlspaces as well as pipes along outside walls. Pipes that are located below kitchen and bathroom sinks are also vulnerable as the cabinet doors can prevent the heat from circulating around the pipes.

The best course of action to take is to prevent your pipes from freezing so that there is no risk of a pipe burst. The following tips can help you prevent frozen pipes:

  • On cold nights, turn on faucets to a trickle. Moving water is less likely to freeze.
  • Keep cabinet doors below kitchen and bathroom sinks open so the heat in your home can keep them warm.
  • Use electrical tape or pipe insulation to insulate pipes in at-risk areas like attics and basements.
  • Put a space heater in uninsulated areas, but make sure to use it safely.
  • Turn off your outdoor water supply.

How to Thaw Frozen Pipes

Taking the actions described above will reduce the risk of frozen pipes, but it is still possible for them to freeze. If the water pressure coming out of your faucets is low, a pipe along the line may be frozen. The following tips will help you identify and thaw frozen pipes:

  • Check exposed pipes in uninsulated areas for frost, ice, or bulges.
  • If a faucet has low water pressure, follow the plumbing line from the faucet to locate the frozen pipe.
  • Check the pipeline for bulges and areas covered in frost and ice.
  • Use a hair dryer or a heat lamp to thaw the frozen pipe. It is dangerous to use an open flame.
  • Don’t be afraid to remove drywall to get to a frozen pipe. Replacing the drywall section is less expensive than restoring the damage caused by a burst pipe.
  • Put the faucet on to a trickle while thawing the pipe. The moving water will help melt the ice inside the pipe.

Damage from Burst Pipes

A burst pipe can cause serious damage in your home. If a frozen pipe is not thawed, the ice within the pipe will continue to expand and build pressure within the pipe. Eventually the pressure will cause a fissure that will allow water to leak into the home. A burst pipe can cause hundreds of gallons of water to spill into your home which can lead to serious water damage. If a pipe does burst in your home, you need to turn of the water at the main shutoff valve and call our professionals.

Our technicians can provide complete water damage restoration to cleanup and restore the damage caused by a burst pipe. We will remove standing water using advanced water extraction equipment and ensure that the area is thoroughly dried. We can also repair and restore building materials like wood and drywall that have been damaged by the water. Calling our professionals as soon as a pipe bursts will help limit the amount of water spilling into your property and prevent structural damage and mold growth caused by the water.

Call ServiceMaster of Albuquerque and West Mesa

If a pipe bursts in your home or business, make sure you call ServiceMaster of Albuquerque and West Mesa immediately for frozen pipe damage restoration. We are available 24 hours a day at (505) 257-6922 to provide emergency services in Albuquerque, NM and all of New Mexico.