Now that cold weather has arrived and the temperatures here in Michigan are starting to drop each night it’s a good possiblity for water pipes to become frozen and burst. When this happens it can lead to all sorts of problems in your home. Some of them you may not even be aware of until the following month. In this article I’ll go over some of the problems that you may face if you have broken pipes in your home this winter and what you can do about it after the fact and also some tips on protecting your home before it becomes a problem.
The Dangers of Broken Pipes in Winter
When a water pipe breaks it may not allow water to flow from the pipe. Instead it may take some time until the pipe thaws enough to allow water to pass. When that happens it can make the home owner think that everything is okay when it actually isn’t. Having broken pipes because of cold weather can be a real problem for your home. The damages it can do can be huge and if you don’t take some steps to protect yourself you could be facing these problems. Here are some of the things that you can do if you have pipes that you think may cause a problem this year.
- Insulate any exposed pipes
- Close any doors or windows leading into areas where pipes are located
- Turn off sprinkler systems and drain water from them
- Get a plumbing inspection done on your home to look for potential problems
These are just some of the things that you can do to help reduce the risk of broken pipes because of dropping temperatures. To ensure you get the best protection you’ll need to talk with a plumbing company like Downriver Plumbers who can inspect and advise you on problems you may be facing. Getting a plumbing inspection is easy and it can save you thousands of dollars when compared to the damages a water leak in your home can cause.
To ensure you get the best protection you’ll need to talk with a plumbing company like Downriver Plumbers who can inspect and advise you on problems you may be facing.
Frozen Pipes Are More Susceptible to Breaking
Although having frozen pipes in itself is not really a problem it can lead to a problem. As the water in the pipe freezes it will expand which puts more pressure on the outside of the pipe. This can lead to the pipe bursting and cracking which will allow the water to run out of the pipe once the ice in the pipe thaws. This may take a few hours or it can take days depending on the temperature outside and the temperature at the location of the pipe that is broken. For plastic pipes the cold weather also makes the pipes more brittle and drops their strength down which allows them to break more easily.
Water From Broken Pipes Can Damage Your Home
Typically the broken pipes in your home that break are just a drop in the bucket of the total cost they can be responsible for. Water from the pipe breaking can cause all sorts of problems in your home. Depending on where the pipe broke and how the water traveled around the home is key to determining just what damages have occurred. The water can damage walls, ceilings, and floors. If it leaks from the ceilings it can also damage electronics and furniture. The carpet flooring can also be damaged by water. Once you have this much water damage you may need a home restoration company to come in a clean up the water damage and to do repairs to your home.
Your Water Bill Will Skyrocket if You Have a Broken Pipe
Another huge problem you may have with your broken pipe is that it causes your water bill to skyrocket. If the pipe was broken and has been for some time it’s like leaving a faucet on 24 hours per day and 7 days per week. This can make a huge impact on your water bill. If you notice a huge spike in your water bill you may have a broken pipe that you aren’t aware of.
Getting the Right Contractor for Your Broken Pipe
One thing you’ll need to do as soon as you find out about a broken pipe is call a qualified plumber to do repairs. One of the best plumbing companies is Downriver Plumbers if you’re in the southeast Michigan area. You can give them a call at (734) 548-9925 or visit them online at Downriver Plumbers