Did Your Pipes Burst? Have No Fear, The Home Mechanics Are Here

[caption id="attachment_9701" align="alignleft" width="406"] Burst or Frozen Pipes Are No Match for your Home Mechanics[/caption]

You've noticed that there has been (and will be) a running theme this week discussing cold weather problems that could happen to your home. We've seen it all at Reilly Painting & Contracting: pipes freezing, pipes bursting, major water damage, electrical problem due to water leaks, ice damns, broken gutters because of ice...you get the idea. When (or if) your pipes burst, remember that we are a phone call away (216-371-8160) or you can email us and we will get back to you ASAP.

We understand that bursting pipes are on a lot of home owners' minds when it gets this cold, and for those who didn't know, or don't think it could happen to them, let me tell you that it can. Let us take certain precautions to ensure that these problems don't happen, and if they do, that we can take care of the problem, and all the other problems that go along with it. Worried your pipes will burst and ruin your walls from water damage? Not a problem...we can do it.

Here are the DOs and DON'Ts when it comes to a frozen pipe:

With temperatures still in the teens across our region, freezing pipes are a major concern. The first sign of a frozen pipe is reduced or no flow out of a plumbing fixture like your faucet or shower. A frozen pipe will not always crack or burst, so thawing it out slowly is your best bet.

DO: turn off the “Main” water valve” to the house and leave the faucets “open”.
DON'T: Use any open flame to attempt to thaw the pipe.
DON'T: Use any electric heater or hair dryer directly to the pipe as any leaking water can cause an electrocution hazard.
DO: Let the heat of the house get to the pipe by opening cabinets or crawl space doors.
DON'T:  Call a plumber out to thaw out piping as it's very expensive and time consuming.

Courtesy of NBC Washington