Repairing water damage from a frozen pipe does not have to be a nightmare.
Repairing water damage, no matter what caused it, is probably not at the top of the list of your favorite things. While that puddle you’re staring at might be the result of an overflowing toilet or sink, or an appliance that went haywire, this time of the year, it’s also possible – even north of Atlanta – that it’s the result of a frozen pipe. Here’s everything you need to know about frozen pipes:
The Lowdown on Freezing Pipes
Why do pipes freeze? When you turn off the water at a faucet, water remains in the line or the pipe. If the pipe is exposed to cold enough temperatures, the water inside that pipe will freeze and, in the process, will expand. When this happens, it puts pressure on the pipe and can cause it to rupture or burst.
It might not seem like pipes inside a warm home could freeze, but it happens all the time. The most common location for frozen pipes is on outside walls where they are close to the cold outdoor temperature, under sinks, and in uninsulated or unheated areas such as crawl spaces.
After a Burst Pipe
When pipes freeze and burst, the water that is behind the ice while rush out the broken pipe and flood the area in your home where they’re located. If this happens, the first thing you need to do is to turn off the main water valve to your house. Quick thinking here will stop the deluge of water. The next step is recovery by repairing water damage that’s happened.
Water Damage Repair After a Broken Pipe
The number one priority when you have a flood in your home is getting the water out and getting it out quickly. The longer water sits untreated, the more damage that can be done. Water can do everything from leaving minor water stains to the total destruction of a home.
The biggest danger of water damage is mold growth, and since mold can start to grow in less than 24 hours in a warm, wet environment, the quicker you get the water out, the more likely you’ll have a complete recovery. Mold can cause nearly as much damage as the water, and be just as dangerous.
Mold, if left to grow and spread, can cause enormous health risks including stuffy nose and sinuses, chest congestion, sore throat, itchy irritated eyes, respiratory issues including asthma, fatigue, headaches, and more. The longer the exposure to mold, the more severe the health risks.
Repairing Water Damage
Water extraction is job number one when it comes to repairing water damage. After a burst pipe, you could have everything from a wet area to a completely flooded home, and everything in between. Getting the water out fast is the priority. Restoration experts will use state-of-the-art extraction equipment to pull as much water as possible out of the house, including behind walls, under cabinets, and under flooring.
The next step in the restoration process is drying. Industrial fans and specialized drying equipment will help to remove the rest of the water from the area. Dehumidifiers are then used to remove the excess moisture from the air. This helps prevent or stop mold growth.
Once the water is out, cleanup and repairing water damage begins. This part of the process includes:
• Structural cleaning
• Cleaning of the floors and flooring
• Antimicrobial bacteria and mold prevention
• Mold inspection and removal and remediation if necessary
• Sewage cleanup, if that’s needed
• Repair and reconstruction of the structure
• Restoration of documents, electronics, and furniture
• Air scrubbers and deodorizers
Water damage from any cause can wreck your day. When it comes from something like a frozen pipe in the winter, it can take on a whole new urgency. The critical factor in recovery is getting the cleanup and repairing water damage as quickly as possible.
Click to contact Can-Restore for help repairing water damage or call (770) 212-9775.
