With winter storms waiting to surprise us, nobody wants to wake up to the sound of gushing water behind a wall. A burst pipe can spew dozens of gallons per minute, ruin irreplaceable items, and require costly repairs that you never planned for. On the bright side, with a little knowledge and a level head, you can minimize your risk and respond to incidents like a pro.

What makes pipes burst in winter?

When temperatures drop, water in unprotected pipes can freeze. Ice takes up about 9 percent more space than liquid water and exerts outward pressure that is greater than copper, steel, or PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) can withstand. In addition, pressure builds up between the blockage and the closed faucet; if that pressure exceeds the pipe’s capacity to withstand it, the line fails-almost always at a vulnerable joint-and water escapes as soon as the ice melts.

Certain characteristics make some homes more vulnerable than others, such as poor insulation, unprotected areas around siding, or crawl spaces that allow drafts to penetrate. New homeowners may not understand that pipes on exterior walls, or going through unheated basements and crawl spaces, need extra protection. It’s good to know this now so it saves you later.

Early warning signs you can spot

A frozen pipe rarely fails without a few warning signs. Look for these clues to respond before water starts to flow. (A quick note, you will be allowed to see the entire checklist following this short review, so that you can flip through quickly.)

• You’ve just noticed even a slight drop in flow from a single faucet and all adjacent taps are working normally.
• Cold walls or cabinets that hide supply lines and visible traces of moisture.
• Frost builds up on any exposed piping in the attic or crawl space.
• Metal bang (also known as “water hammer”) immediately after shutting off that tap.
• Weird earthy smells making you think slow drips are more, make you search for mold.

If any of these, please shut outdoor hose bibs off, open the indoor faucets to relieve pressure, and contact a licensed plumber or a 24/7 restoration team through https://strictlywaterdamagerestoration.com/ for guidance.

First steps after a burst pipe

The minutes after a rupture can be somewhat chaotic, using an organized and calm approach can help reduce your damages and much faster recover. (Review this short collection below, and it will be helpful to keep nearby your fridge or on your phone – so that you can take action quickly, when every second counts.)

• Turn off the water supply. Locate your main shut-off value (generally in the basement or near a meter) and turn clockwise.
• Turn the electricity off in the affected rooms to safely remove any shocking hazards.
• Call emergency water removal professionals for immediate water extraction, and structural drying.
• Document everything. Take photos and videos for insurance before any cleanup takes place.
• Start draining safely. With water pressure relieved, open these lowest level faucets all indoors, and let the residual water outside through it.

Taking timely action as listed above can prevent a minor incident from turning into a massive flood cleanup exercise.

Simple ways to stop freezing pipes

Prevention costs cents; chasing repairs costs thousands! (Here’s a quick warm up before we get to the mini to-do list, so you will know for each measure why it is important to do during colder weather prep.)

• Wrap exposed lines in foam sleeves or fiberglass insulation.
• Seal any air leaks around vents, electrical conduits, sill plates and etc. with caulk or spray foam.
• Maintain conditions of steady indoor temps (at least no lower than 55 degrees) even when you go away.
• Let faucets drip just a little on the coldest of nights, to promote motion of water.
• Drain and winterize outdoor spigots and irrigation systems every fall.

Ultimately, all of these habits could become simple preventative habits, and provide some degree of armor to keep pipes in the above categorized danger zones. You can visit this link to learn more on how to protect your home from winter weather.

Hidden water damage risks

Even when the gusher stops, the dampness could still exist between walls, under floors or within insulation, trapping moisture within spaces promotes mold colonies to begin growing within 24 to 48 hours, which seriously degrades drywall, and wood framing over time, and ultimately leads to sagging ceilings, warped baseboards, or that unpleasant musty smell.

This is why both urgent flood cleanup and the professional structural drying is so important. All the moisture meters, industrial fans, and dehumidifiers can access spaces and areas that towels cannot. If you neglect this step, you may be left with peeling paint, higher utility bills, or worse – toxic mold spores that trigger health disasters later.

Through awareness of identifying early signs, timely actions, and giving pipes some winter love, you can protect your new home from one of winters worst surprises. Stay alert, stay warm, and keep those pipes flowing all winter long!