What To Do When Your Pipes Freeze And Burst

Even though we’re in the South, our winters here in Middle Tennessee can be pretty cold. If a cold snap comes, bringing a few days of frigid weather in a row, you could end up with burst pipes when they freeze. This kind of event can cost you a lot of money, not to mention aggravation, and will make you wonder why you didn’t prepare your plumbing ahead of time.

Make sure to educate yourself about what to do in case of a plumbing emergency - one of the first things to know is the location of the main water shut-off valve! Make sure you and at least some employees know where this is. After all, prevention is always the best plan.?

If you suspect that you already have frozen pipes, here are some tips to handle that kind of situation:

• Turn off your water immediately, using the main shut-off valve.

• Call the professionals. A professional company with the skills and equipment in place specifically for this kind of event is going to be able to help you quickly and efficiently. You may be tempted to try to defrost frozen pipes using a flame, but please do not do this. Any open flame in enclosed spaces is extremely dangerous, and also won’t actually work. A hairdryer might be a help, and you can apply this heat to the pipe gradually after you open the faucet. Begin near the end of the faucet and move towards the ice block. Make sure you don’t stand in water while using any electrical device!
• If any rooms in your house are flooded, make sure to check for live electrical outlets or cords that could be submerged before you step into the standing water. If you aren’t sure, wait for the professionals to arrive.

The SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville team is ready to help any time you have a water-related disaster. We’re available 24/7 to help with any water damage and fire damage, and we can handle cleanups of all sizes. We’re mold remediation specialists, too!