How Frozen Pipes Can Damage Your Property in Tuscaloosa, AL

Alabama certainly isn’t known for its icy winters, but occasionally, temperatures can drop to the low thirties during January and February. Because these freezing temperatures are rare, many Tuscaloosa homeowners aren’t prepared to properly protect their homes. This can lead to expensive damage, especially if a pipe bursts.

Whenever temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, standing water can freeze. Therefore, if there’s any water sitting in your pipes that are touched by the cold weather, the insides of the pipe can freeze. This is an especially high risk if the pipes are not properly insulated or if they’re located in frigid locations like your backyard or garage.

When water freezes, it expands rapidly. Therefore, if it freezes inside your pipe, the ice puts monumental pressure on the pipe, causing the outside to crack and eventually leak or even flood the area. Not only will you have to deal with the broken pipe, but you’ll also have to deal with the massive cleanup from the spraying water.

Fortunately, there are ways you can prevent pipes from bursting in your home if temperatures dip below freezing. The first thing you can do is let your faucets drip continuously until the cold weather passes. This will keep the water flowing in your pipes and prevent it from solidifying into ice.

Secondly, you can work on better insulating your pipes to prevent them from getting cold. There are sleeves sold at hardware stores specifically designed to do this, but you can also use towels, blankets, or even newspapers to do the job if you have nothing else on hand.

If the worst happens and a pipe does explode, leaking water all over your house, don’t panic. Instead, immediately call a professional damage restoration company like Restoration 1 of Tuscaloosato help you recover. We come equipped with the best water removal and cleanup technology available, so we’ll have your home back in its original state quickly.

As soon as a pipe bursts or you encounter another source of water damage, don’t hesitate to call our restoration expertsat 205-632-7222. We’re standing by all day, every day, so we can respond no matter when disaster strikes.