With winter approaching, North Bergen residents must recognize the hazards and consequences of frozen or broken water pipes. According to the website CostHelper, the average cost to fix a broken water pipe is $900, plus any further water damage repairs.
Our BJC Plumbers North Bergen Services team wants to provide you with all of the knowledge you need to understand this widespread problem, take the essential safeguards against frozen pipes, and know what to do in the event of burst pipes.
How Do Pipes Freeze and What Happens?
Due to the fact that water expands when it freezes, frozen water pipes might break due to the extra pressure. Uninsulated water pipes found along exterior walls, attics, basements, crawl spaces, and kitchen cabinets are the most vulnerable in your NJ house.
Outside water lines, such as those connecting outside hoses, sprinkler systems, irrigation systems, or swimming pools, are also in danger if not emptied before the arrival of winter.
The older your water pipes are, the more probable it is that frozen water may create significant issues and damage. Furthermore, since many contemporary houses have intricate plumbing systems, a broken pipe may cause catastrophic damage.
A single burst pipe may release four to eight gallons of water every minute, generating thousands of dollars in damage in less than an hour. This might leave a house or workplace unusable for many weeks.
Prevention Tips
You can minimize the probability of frozen or broken water pipes by implementing a few basic preventative measures before winter.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to drain the water from your swimming pool and sprinkler lines.
• Unplug and drain any outside hoses. Turn off the water supply to these hoses, but leave the outside valve open to allow any residual water to drain. Consider insulating spigots.
• Insulate any exposed water lines that are prone to freezing.
• Insulate your water heater.
• Locate and operate the main cutoff in your house.
• If there are water lines in your garage, keep it closed.
• On exceptionally chilly days, leave your kitchen and bathroom cabinets open to enable warm air to travel around the pipes.
• Let a trickle of room-temperature water stream from the taps, particularly at night when it’s cooler.
• Keep the temperature in your house no lower than 55 degrees.
• If you will be out of town for a long time, empty the water system by cutting off the water supply and running all fixtures until no more water flows.
Warning Signs
Even with safeguards, frozen pipes may occur. It would help if you understood the following as a homeowner certain fundamental warning indicators that point to a frozen water pipe.
For example, if water flow at a certain fixture is significantly reduced or interrupted, you may have frozen water elsewhere in your system. In rare situations, a frozen pipe might generate a leak before bursting completely. Look for moist spots on your walls or ceilings.
Keep the faucet open if you suspect a frozen pipe. As the ice in the pipe melts, water will flow again. To thaw the pipes, wrap them in hot water-soaked cloths.
A heating pad, hair dryer, or space heater may be used to warm an area where a possibly frozen pipe is present. However, it would help if you exercise extreme caution while using electrical equipment near water sources and taking fire precautions. A professional plumber should be called to unfreeze pipes near electrical outlets.
After a Pipe Bursts
You should act swiftly to limit the damage if you have a burst water pipe. First, turn off your home’s water supply. Before an emergency, you should be aware of the location of this valve.
Turn off any electric appliances near the flood flow and relocate your belongings. If feasible, catch and gather as much water as possible using buckets. Meanwhile, drain additional water in your plumbing system via functional drains using your kitchen and bathroom faucets. For more information.
Once you’ve taken care of the immediate emergency, contact an expert to fix your pipes. Before contacting your insurance provider, take photographs and document any losses.
Call Us For All Your Plumbing Needs
If you have frozen pipes or other plumbing problems, contact BJC Plumbers North Bergen Services in North Bergen, NJ. Call (201) 389-9955 or make an online service request.
