Old Man Winter has been hitting the MetroWest area hard this year, and frigid temperatures bring the risk of frozen and burst pipes. The licensed professionals at Nicholson Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning are ready to help in the case of an emergency but are also glad to offer some tips on mitigating damage to your home.
If a Pipe Bursts
In the case of a burst pipe, the first step is to shut off the water supply, either at the source for the affected pipe or to the entire home, as quickly as possible to limit water damage. Minutes count when protecting your home and belongings. It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the location of the main shut-off valve before an emergency to avoid wasting time searching for it.
After shutting off the water, call Nicholson. We’ll respond as quickly as possible. In the meantime, remove any standing water. A wet-dry vacuum will make the process faster. Use fans and a dehumidifier to help speed drying.
Keep Your Plumbing Safe
To help avoid a plumbing emergency during cold weather, homeowners can take proactive steps to winterize their pipes:
- Protect and insulate exposed pipes by wrapping them in foam insulation.
- During frigid weather, let faucets trickle by slightly opening both the hot and cold taps.
- Don’t give the cold a way into the plumbing from the outside. Remove garden hoses from outside spigots. Insulate the spigots with foam covers.
- Open cabinet doors to allow heat to reach pipes more easily.
- Use a space heater to keep areas prone to freezing warm.
In the Event of a Frozen Pipe
If a pipe should freeze, homeowners need to know the right (and wrong) ways to thaw them. If an exposed pipe does freeze, the safe options for thawing it include hair dryers, heat lamps, and space heaters. The wrong way to thaw a pipe is by using an open flame such as a propane torch. This will only lead to the need for expensive repairs.
To avoid the need to cut into a wall to thaw an enclosed pipe, call a professional plumber for help. They can use an infrared lamp to heat the pipe through the wall.
Let Us Help
If MetroWest homeowners need help preparing their plumbing for winter or have an emergency, the licensed professionals at Nicholson Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning have your back. If a pipe bursts or needs unthawing, contact us at 508-893-4258 or schedule service online and save $25. We proudly offer discounts for seniors, veterans and disabled individuals.