Discovering a frozen pipe in your home can be a scary experience. SERVPRO Team Harvey has 7 tips to avoid this potential disaster.
- Check the water flow from a faucet, if it is reduced – this is the first sign of freezing. The most likely places for frozen pipes include against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.
- Running water through the pipe will help melt the ice in the pipe as water flows through the pipe.
- Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device.
- IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT YOU OPEN THE FAUCET AND BEGIN TO THAW ON THE FAUCET SIDE. If you place the heat in the “middle” of a frozen section that section will melt. Since both sides are still frozen, that water may turn to steam and could cause the pipe to explode! When you start next to the faucet, any water (or steam) can escape through that faucet and help prevent damage/harm.
- Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you cannot thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.
- Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze, too.
- After pipes have thawed, turn off all water to faucets and the icemaker, and monitor the water meter for any unseen leaks.
If a pipe bursts, shut off water at the main valve. Call a plumber (keep an emergency number nearby for quick access). Then call SERVPRO Team Harvey to evaluate and remediate any water damage that could have resulted. With franchises located in Hudson, Monmouth and Somerset Counties, as well as Lower Manhattan, we are truly faster to any disaster.
Regardless of the circumstances — dealing with broken pipes or other water damage, puff-backs or other fire/smoke damage, odors, mold remediation, or even biohazard remediation – call SERVPRO Team Harvey at 877-TEAM-HRV. We will mitigate the loss to prevent further damage and will then provide restoration services to return the property to a pre-loss condition as quickly as possible. SERVPRO Team Harvey has well-trained professional technicians who provide the latest state-of-the-science services to all property damaged from water, fire, smoke, mold, and other disasters. Franchises include: SERVPRO of Aberdeen/Holmdel, SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City, SERVPRO of West Somerset County, and SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan/Financial District.
