What to Do When a Plumbing Pipe Bursts

February 21st, 2019 Posted in Emergency Plumbing
Comments Off on What to Do When a Plumbing Pipe Bursts

Water flows through the walls, floors and ceilings of your home day and night, usually without a drop of water escaping the pipes of your plumbing. But, plumbing is not infallible, and these pipes can leak or burst, causing extensive damage to your home. When a pipe breaks or springs a leak, you need to act fast to reduce the water damage. Knowing what to do can help you react quickly if you ever come home to a plumbing pipe emergency in your home.

Shut the Water Off

When you discover a leak or broken pipe, the first thing you need to do is shut the water off. For some fixtures and appliances, there may be a localized shut off valve you can use. Most sinks, toilets, washing machines and water heaters will have a shut off valve, but you can always use the main shut off valve for the home.

Call the Plumber

Find a local plumber that offers emergency service and give them a call. Many have 24/7 emergency service, so you can get the help you need any time of day or night.

Soak Up the Water

While you wait for the plumber to arrive, soak up as much water as you can to reduce the damage to surfaces. Be careful if there is extensive flooding – electrical shock can occur if any appliances are touching the wet floor.

Acting fast in a plumbing emergency can reduce the amount of water that flows into your home and help minimize water and mold damage. Keep a reputable local plumber on speed dial so you have a reliable professional to call when you need them.

Posted on behalf of:
Kiddco Plumbing, Inc.
106-M Oakgrove Road
Sterling, VA 20166
(703) 435-4441

, ,
Read More

Burst Frozen Water Lines

January 16th, 2014 Posted in Water Line Repair
Comments Off on Burst Frozen Water Lines

Unusually cold winter weather can often result in an unpleasant surprise for unwary homeowners:  a burst water line.  Water expands when it freezes and the outside air temperature gets cold enough, your water supply line or the water lines in your house can burst if the water in the line freezes.   The problem is more common in areas that usually don’t experience extremely cold temperatures.  In northern states, water pipes are usually installed such that they are not susceptible to freezing since cold weather is the norm.

In warmer climates, less care is taken to protect water pipes against freezing and as a result, a period of unusually cold weather can result in an outbreak of broken water pipes.  If you are concerned about your water pipes freezing, there are few steps you can take to help prevent it from happening.

First, if cold weather is expected, leave a faucet running very slowly.  Moving water takes longer to freeze than still water so even a trickle of water though your pipes can help prevent the water from freezing.  In addition, leaving a faucet slightly open allows any pressure to dissipate in the pipes between your faucet and the frozen spot.  This can also help prevent a burst pipe.

Leave kitchen and bath room cabinets open to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes, especially if they are located on an exterior wall.  If your water pipes run through an unheated garage, basement, attic, or crawlspace, consider installing pipe insulation or electric heating tape to prevent the pipes from freezing.

Finally, if you have a sprinkler irrigation system, water feature, spa or swimming pool, be sure to properly drain and winterize the system in the fall to prevent water freezing in the pipes and cracking them.

Posted on behalf of Seagraves Plumbing

, ,
Read More

Damage Caused By Leaky Pipes

December 3rd, 2013 Posted in Water Line Repair
Comments Off on Damage Caused By Leaky Pipes

You may think that dripping or leaky pipe is just an annoyance, one that can wait for water line repairs. However, by just putting a drip pan underneath and waiting to get it repaired, you may be setting yourself up for bigger plumbing problems. A drip or small leak can quickly become a large problem if not fixed, and cause extensive damage that’s both costly and possibly dangerous.

Small Drips Can Lead To Big Problems

Many times, a small drip is only a small problem and easily fixed. A worn out washer or old pipe sealer just needs to be replaced, and the problem is gone. However, there are other times a small leak or drip can lead to bigger and more expensive problems if they’re left unattended. By ignoring it or just putting a bandage on the problem, it can become a burst pipe that can cause significant damage to your home.

Pipes rarely burst when we expect it. A small drip can become a gushing water pipe when you are at work or worse, gone for the weekend. The damage can be extensive when this happens, including:

–        Home water damage. A burst pipe can ruin flooring, ceilings, walls and many other items in your home. This can cost thousands of dollars in damage in a very short period of time.

–        Mold problems. A dripping pipe can cause excess moisture in your home and lead to high humidity and mold problems. Once mold is present in your home, it can cause health problems and be difficult to remove from your home.

Don’t wait to get a drip or leak fixed. Call a professional to get the problem resolved right away and avoid expensive and possibly dangerous damage to your home.

Posted on behalf of Seagraves Plumbing

, ,
Read More

Protecting Your Water Pipes From Freezing

December 3rd, 2013 Posted in Water Line Repair
Comments Off on Protecting Your Water Pipes From Freezing

Frozen water pipes are a common problem that can lead to big home repair expenses. When the temperature drops, especially unexpectedly, homeowners can find themselves with pipes that become frozen and even burst under the extreme cold and pressure. Once they burst, not only do they need to be replaced, but they can also cause water damage and other issues in your home. The best solution to avoid a broken water line repair is proactively preventing frozen pipes in the first place.

Water Pipe Freeze Protection

A severe cold snap, especially in warmer climates, is the most common cause of frozen water pipes. While homes in colder climates typically are built with well-insulated pipes, those in warmer regions may not have adequate insulation to protect them in unexpectedly cold weather. When the water in pipes freezes, it expands, causing pressure and backing up water being forced into the pipe. To prevent freezing and the resulting bursting, use these tips before and during cold weather.

–          Insulate your pipes. Check areas in basements, crawl spaces and attics where pipes may be exposed to cold weather. Wrap pipes with insulating tape, foam or even paper to help insulate against cold air.

–          Run water. Just a small trickle of water can keep pipes from freezing. In extreme weather snaps in warmer climates, this can be used short term to prevent freezing.

–          Use heat. Keep the heat on in cold weather, even when away from home. This can help to keep the pipes warm and aid in freezing prevention.

In cold weather, if water does not come through your faucet, that is the first sign of a frozen pipe. A frozen pipe can often be thawed before it bursts, so calling a plumber right away may reduce further damage and expense.

Posted on behalf of Seagraves Plumbing

, ,
Read More

How to Protect Your Water Pipes from Freezing in Cold Weather

December 20th, 2012 Posted in Water Line Repair
Comments Off on How to Protect Your Water Pipes from Freezing in Cold Weather

If you live in an older home or poorly insulated one, you may find that you have problems keeping your water lines from freezing.  This is especially true for any pipes near an outside wall or doors.  When water freezes, it expands and can cause the pipes to separate at the joints and crack.  When it thaws out, the result can be major water damage in the home.

You can use thermostatic heating tape around the pipes to keep the water inside from freezing.  Plug the tape into a receptacle and it will keep a constant temperature for the pipes.  You can also wrap the pipes in foam insulation and tape it to keep it in place.  Another option is to add insulation to the wall near the pipes and keep the area warmer.

If it is safe to do so, you can keep a space heater in the room that gets cold enough to freeze the pipes.  Sometimes just leaving the doors to the cabinets open will prevent the air from getting cold enough to reach freezing.  You can also keep the faucet running at just a steady drip to prevent freezing.  Moving water does not freeze as easily and that is often a resolution for bathrooms and kitchens where water freezes.  Another more expensive option is to turn the temperature up in the house to warm the area where the freezing pipes are located.

If you have problems with freezing pipes in the winter, you may want to get help from your plumber to determine the best fix for the situation and prevent costly repairs.

, ,
Read More

Frozen Water Pipes Can Cause Major Damage

December 7th, 2012 Posted in Water Line Repair
Comments Off on Frozen Water Pipes Can Cause Major Damage

If you’ve ever had water pipes freeze in your home, you know that it can be, at the very least, a frustrating experience. If you are one of the unlucky homeowner’s who have actually had frozen water pipes burst, then you understand just how extensive the damage can be in that situation.

The water pipes that are mostly likely to freeze are those that are located in or near an outside wall or pipes in an unheated crawlspace. The water in the pipes can freeze during an unusually cold dip in temperature. This is usually not an issue in a well-insulated and heated home. Homes in areas that don’t normally have extremely cold weather can be susceptible, as well as homes which are vacant during a cold snap with no one maintaining the heat levels in the home.

The first sign that you have a frozen water pipe is often when you are unable to get any, or very little, water from a faucet. The ice in the pipe is blocking the flow of water. The danger of major damage comes not only from the fact that the ice may break the pipe itself, but that the break in the pipe could quickly flood your home with water.

A burst water line may not be immediately evident, since the ice in the pipe may actually be keeping the water blocked inside the pipe. It is when the ice begins to thaw that the leakage starts to happen and you are at risk of having gallons of water pour into your home. Professional plumbers understand these dynamics and know how to check for these potential problems. If you suspect frozen water pipes in your home, contact a plumber immediately so they can assess the situation and assist you in minimizing the damage which can result.

, ,
Read More

Preventing Water Pipes From Freezing

February 5th, 2011 Posted in Water Line Repair
Comments Off on Preventing Water Pipes From Freezing

This has been a very cold winter for many parts of the United States.  Freezing temperatures for prolonged periods of time have been seen in most states.

During prolonged freezing temperatures, you need to ensure that your pipes do not freeze and burst.  Broken pipes will cause immediate flooding in your home, creating sheetrock damage, ceiling damage, and destruction of floors and carpets.

The easiest way to ensure that your pipes don’t freeze is to know how well the pipes were insulated.  If you have never checked your exposed water pipe insulation, this is an easy job. Simply visually inspect all water pipes.  Appropriate insulation should surround each pipe.  If no insulation is present, local homeowner’s stores sell these relatively inexpensively.  Homeowner’s can then apply the insulation around the pipe, securing with tape for colder months.

If you did not have time to check the pipe insulation, on cold nights and whenever the temperature is expected to be below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, you should leave water trickling in a sink.  One water outlet generally is fine, and a slow drip is all that is needed to keep the water moving through the pipes.

If this fails, and you notice water stains, standing water in your basement or bottom floor, or signs of a burst pipe  such as a lack of water pressure or water stream when turning the water on, you should immediately contact your local professional plumber for an emergency water line repair.  Turn the water off at the main entrance point, usually at the street water meter, and wait for help to arrive.  During this time, you should also consider calling your homeowner’s insurance policy to see if any assistance is available to you for repairs and clean up.

, ,
Read More

Find Local Company | Featured Plumbers| Find Local Plumbers| Plumbers Directory