THE CAUSE BEHIND FREEZING EXPLODING PIPES

1/6/2021 (Permalink)

Many people have put a can of soda in the freezer before just to quickly get the beverage cold to drink.  If you’ve ever forgotten about the can, you may have come back to a beverage that exploded all over your freezer. This exact same principle applies when your pipes freeze and burst.  The reason for these explosions is because liquid expands when it reaches a freezing temperature.  As existing water inside the individual pipe freezes and creates blockage, there is naturally nowhere for the water to go, causing the pipe itself to burst.  Older homes may have constructed water systems with pipes in attics or even outdoors, exposed to the elements.  Meanwhile, many newer homes are built to take into account the threat of frozen pipes, with some builders observing the proper precautions to shield piping from opportunities where freezing could occur.  However, pipes can still burst.

What to do... 

Plenty of precautions can be taken to prevent your pipes from freezing to begin with. Whenever the external temperature gets below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, you will need to be watchful and not let the inside of your home plummet under 32 degrees.  For example, saving money on your heating bill is great when you’re out of town, but make sure the temperature inside your home does drop below freezing.  If you do turn on a faucet and no water is coming out, immediately shut off the water, as you could begin creating more damage to your pipes.  In the event you discover a pipe that has broken and is leaking water, the absolute first thing you’ll want to do is turn your water supply off at the source.   

Minimize Damage and Start Cleanup

Your number one course of action should be contacting a professional to diagnose the problem. The longer the situation sits, the worse it’s going to become. Should you discover mold unexpectedly, the abatement process will stop deterioration from rapidly spreading.  The same goes for home restoration following the most disastrous water damage.  It’s critical that the drying process be started within the first 48 hours in order to effectively mitigate moisture damage.   This will ensure that we can quickly assess the damage and begin the restoration process.  SERVPRO of Piatt/DeWitt County can help!

Place Your Trust SERVPRO of Piatt/DeWitt County

The highly trained staff at SERVPRO of Piatt/DeWitt County are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.   We have 30 years of restoration experience so call one of our friendly staff today at 217-935-2992.  We are here to help!