Protect Your Pipes This Winter: Frozen Pipes Prevention And Restoration

Winter can be a beautiful season, but it also presents serious challenges for home and business owners. One of the most common problems during this time is freezing pipes, which can lead to serious ruptures and costly damage if proper steps are not taken to prevent it. In this blog, we share practical tips to prevent your pipes from freezing, as well as the steps to take if they do break. In addition, we explain how JD Restorations can help you restore your property after such an incident.

Why do pipes freeze?

When temperatures drop below freezing (32°F or 0°C), the water inside the pipes can freeze. As the water turns to ice, it expands, increasing the pressure inside the pipes. If the pressure is high enough, pipes can crack or even burst, leading to water leaks and, in many cases, flooding.

Pipes that are most exposed to cold temperatures, such as those in basements, garages, attics, or exterior walls, are the most vulnerable. However, all pipes that are not properly insulated may be at risk.

Frozen pipes prevention

Preventing frozen pipes is much simpler and cheaper than repairing the damage they can cause. Here are some key strategies to protect your home or business during the winter:

• Insulate exposed pipes: Use insulation material on pipes in unheated areas, such as basements, garages, attics, or exterior walls. Common materials include heat tapes, foam sleeves, or fiberglass insulation.
  
  
• Maintain a constant temperature: Make sure the heat in your property is on even when you are not at home, maintaining a minimum temperature of 55°F (13°C). This is especially important if you are traveling or away for extended periods.
  
  
• Let the water run: If temperatures drop sharply, let the water flow slowly through the faucets that are connected to the pipes most exposed to the cold. Even a small flow of water can help keep the water inside the pipes from freezing.
  
• Shut off the outdoors: Shut off outside water valves, and drain hoses and disconnect them to prevent them from freezing and causing problems inside the home.
  
  
• Seal drafts: Inspect doors, windows, and cracks in exterior walls near pipes and seal any gaps that allow cold air to enter. This can be especially important in less heated areas.
  
  

What to do if a pipe freezes?

If you suspect that a pipe has frozen, it is important to act quickly to prevent it from bursting and causing a major water leak. Here are the steps to take if you discover a frozen pipe:

1. Let the water flow: If, when you turn on a faucet, no water comes out or only a very thin trickle, the pipe is probably frozen. Leave the faucet running, as the flow of water, even if it is slow, will help thaw the pipe.
   
   
2. Apply heat directly to frozen pipe: Use a hair dryer, heating pad, or heating blanket to apply heat to the frozen section of pipe. Never use an open flame or blowtorch, as this can irreversibly damage pipes or cause fires.
   
   
3. Defrost gradually: Thaw the pipe from the faucet to the far side so that the water can flow gradually and prevent the internal pressure from building up too quickly.
   
   
4. Call a professional if you cannot thaw it: If you cannot locate the frozen part of the pipe that does not respond to attempts to thaw it, you can contact the professionals at JD Restorations to assess the situation and apply more advanced measures before the pipe bursts.
   
   

What to do if a pipe bursts?

Frozen pipes that burst can cause serious damage, including flooding and structural property damage. If you discover a burst pipe, follow these steps to minimize the damage until JD Restorations experts arrive:

1. Turn off the water supply: The first thing you should do is turn off the main water supply to stop the leak. Knowing where the water shutoff valve is located is key to reacting quickly in these situations.
   
   
2. Remove water: Use buckets, towels, and a wet vacuum to remove water as quickly as possible and minimize damage to floors, walls, and furniture.
   
   
3. Call an emergency restoration team: Contact JD Restorations’ professional restoration team to assess and restore your property from damage immediately. We are available 24/7, responding quickly to any frozen pipe emergency.
   
   

Restoration of frozen pipe damage

At JD Restorations, we offer specialized services to restore properties after a frozen pipe has burst. Our process includes:

• Inspection and evaluation: We perform a complete inspection of the damage caused by the leak, from the area affected by the water to possible structural damage that may have occurred.
  
  
• Water extraction: We use high-powered water extraction equipment to remove water quickly and prevent it from causing further damage.
  
  
• Drying and dehumidification: Excess moisture can lead to mold problems and permanent damage. We use industrial dehumidifiers to ensure that the area is completely dry.
  
  
• Cleaning and restoration: Our team is in charge of cleaning the affected areas and restoring them to their original state. This includes restoring floors, walls, and any other water-damaged elements.
  
  
• Future prevention: After restoration, we offer advice on how to protect your property from future pipeline problems, including reinforcement of vulnerable areas and proper insulation.
  
  

Stay prepared this winter

Winter brings with it many challenges, but with proper preparation, you can minimize the risk of your pipes freezing. Maintaining proper temperatures in your home or business, properly insulating exposed areas, and knowing the warning signs of a frozen pipe can make the difference between a quiet winter and one filled with costly complications.

If, despite your best efforts, you are facing a frozen pipe emergency, JD Restorations is here to help. Our team of experts is available 24 hours a day to respond to any emergency and restore your property quickly.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Contact us at 877 422 9217 to schedule your free 45-minute inspection. We have locations in Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Denver, and Houston, but we travel to the area affected by the emergency.