Houston Homes Experience Pipe Bursting - More Trouble To Come

Houston TX

19 February, 2021

1:43 PM

Description

Houston Restoration Service Urges Prevention Measures Against Burst Plumbing Houston residents have recently come face to face with old man winter, to devastating results. Thanks to record low temperatures and flash freezing brought about by Winter Storm Uri, homeowners in Texas have suddenly been the victims of massive electrical outages which have led to loss of heat and power, and freezing plumbing. As if the possibility of losing power were not enough, even homes that still have their electric in working order might not be safe from burst pipes, thanks to homes in the Houston area simply not being built to withstand frigid northern temps. The Dangers Frozen Pipes Bring To Your Home One of the easiest ways that you can determine potential pipe freezing is through water pressure. If your faucets or shower suddenly seem less pressurized, you could be experiencing freezing in your pipes. Not addressing potential freezing can in turn lead to a burst pipe in your home. Now imagine your plumbing breaks while you are away from your home. How much flooding could you experience before the problem is noticed? In short, freezing plumbing is a disaster waiting to happen! Preventing Plumbing Freezes in Houston Homes Houston restoration companies like Water Mold Fire Restoration are no strangers to flood damages and water mitigation. Houston plumbers are booked out weeks in advance, trying to get to every emergency plumbing situation in the county. If you experience plumbing issues, you could be waiting quite some time for a repair, leaving you without water or even without the ability to live in your home! Not every emergency situation is preventable. But if you live in the Houston area, here are some things that you should be doing in order to avoid the chances of needing an emergency pipe repair this winter. Run the Tap: Leave the tap running and monitor the water flow. The running water helps to melt the ice in the tap. Apply Warm Air: Using your hairdryer, you can easily blow warm air along the pipelines. This method is safe and easy. You could start from the tap, and work your way along the pipelines. Turn up your heater: To prevent your pipes from freezing, you can turn up the heat in your home. Since the surrounding temperature must drop to about 20°F before the water in the pipes starts to freeze, you can prevent this by making sure the temperature doesn't drop that low. Heating Lamps, Space heater, and Pads: You can place a heating pad along the length of the pipes to prevent it from freezing over. Some people also prefer to wrap towels soaked in water along the length of the pipe. When using a heating pad or lamp, make sure to start from the side closest to the tap. Starting from the opposite end can build up pressure and make the pipe burst. Continue applying heat until water resumes rushing. Keep doing it till the full water pressure returns. Ensure not to use a propane heater or kerosene when attempting to unfreeze the pipe. Also, be cautious with the use of a space heater. When using it to keep a room warm, ensure it's not placed near anything flammable, such as blankets, curtains, or towels being used on the pipe. Treatment for Exposed Pipes Most homes have exposed plumbing, generally in the basement, attic, or garage. Exposed plumbing could also be under the sink, depending on your fixtures. Exposed pipes by nature are more susceptible to freezing than the insulated plumbing in a home. Here are some additional steps to take for exposed plumbing. Insulate the Pipes: Of course the best thing you can do for pipes that are not insulated is to insulate them, even temporarily. A quarter inch of insulation or even heat tape can go a long way towards preventing a complete freeze and blowout. Examples of these insulators include pipe-sleeves, heat cables, or heat tapes. Newspapers can also come in handy as it provides some degree of insulation and protection to pipes that are exposed.Open Bathroom and Kitchen Cabinet: The kitchen and bathroom are areas of the house with pipes leading outside. Opening up cabinets in this area allows warm air within the home to flow through the cabinet, thereby preventing the pipe from freezing.Maintain Constant Temperature: Keep the home at a constant temperature at all times. Even if you will be lowering the temperature, don't allow it to last for long.Water Mold Fire Restoration of Houston 1919 W Sam Houston Pkwy N Unit 105 Houston, Texas 77043 713-496-2066 https://watermoldfire.net/houston-tx