The beginning of January 2018 brought with it a blast of cold weather and a hard freeze across North and Central Texas. Consequently, this lead to a rapid increase of phone calls to area plumbers due to frozen or busted pipes. Pipes that bust will quickly flood the area with water and can cause you quite a clean up headache! Anytime there is a leak or flooding, be it from a busted pipe, roof damage, or even an overflowed toilet, it can quickly cause a musty smell and a mildew stain that is not becoming of the atmosphere you strive to maintain at your office. Sonlight Cleaning Service offers carpet cleaning and flood restoration services to help you get your flooring clean again!

            With frozen pipes, timing is of the essence! Depending on how the pipe breaks, where the pipe breaks, and how long it has had to leak will determine what kind of clean up you require. Sometimes, the damage is so extensive, you will have to hire a contractor to rip up the carpeting and replace the flooring!  Here are a few tips to help you minimize the risk and damage caused by frozen pipes.

1. Be Proactive

            When the weather begins to drop to freezing temperatures, cover your exterior pipes with insulated exterior covers. As an added measure, inspect the pipe before covering it to assess the integrity of the existing insulation. You can easily fill in gaps around the pipe cause by mortar deterioration with spray foam insulation. You can also wrap the neck of a pipe with a foam cover. Before you install the insulated exterior cover, wrap the pipe with fleece as an added measure of warmth. For interior pipes, simply leave the water dripping, check that the climate control will keep the area warm, and open cabinets so warm air can circulate around the pipes.

2. Early Detection

            When temperatures drop below freezing, or you experience a hard freeze, inspect your pipes. It can be tricky to diagnose a frozen pipe early if you don’t know what you are looking for. For interior pipes, like under the sink for example, you will see frost begin to form on the outside of the pipes. You may also notice frost beginning to form on a wall or another surface. Another sign of a frozen pipe is if the faucet is on, but no water is coming out.

            Exterior pipes are easier in some ways, and more tricky in other ways. One of the most obvious ways to detect a problem is by looking for icicles or other signs that you have sprung a leak. You can also check that the wall directly on the other side of the pipe is the same temperature as other areas where the pipe isn’t behind the wall. If the pipe is frozen you will notice a difference in wall temps, especially if you have a sheetrock interior.

3. Act Fast

            If you suspect you have a frozen pipe, it is important you act fast! It’s best to call a licensed plumber to properly inspect and take care of your pipe. If the pipe is frozen, the ice will expand and cause the pipe to burst. If you know where the ice blockage is, you can start the process by thawing the frozen area out with a hair dryer. Be sure to have all other faucets in the area open and start thawing from the front of the clog so the water and pressure will have an exit. You can also use a heat lamp (or several) or a space heater. Pro Tip: When using hair dryers, heat lamps or heaters on a frozen pipe close to a wall, try sliding a cookie sheet or aluminum foil between the pipe and wall to reflect as much heat as possible toward the pipe.  While there are no guarantees, the quicker you thaw the ice, the less likely you will have to deal with a burst pipe. [1] Remember, when dealing with plumbing, it’s best to call a licensed plumber to inspect and handle an emergency situation such as frozen pipes.  Also, make sure you know how to shut off your water in case of a flood emergency.

            Not only are the winter months hard on your pipes, it can also be brutal for your flooring! Whether your winter flooring woes are caused by minor floods or dampness, dirt, and de-icing matter tracked in by your customers, Sonlight Cleaning Service is here to get your flooring back to looking and smelling fresh and clean! Call Sonlight Cleaning Service today!