Portland Homeowners: 5 tips to prevent costly water damage from frozen pipes

1/10/2020 (Permalink)

Call 503-SERVPRO if you experience water damage from frozen pipes!

STOP! If you have water damage in your property right now, call us at 503-SERVPRO RIGHT NOW. Don’t wait to mitigate - the longer damage sits unattended, the more likely it will develop secondary damage. Call us at 503-SERVPRO now.

A frozen pipe bursting is a terrible ordeal to come home to, but did you know your pipe could still be frozen without bursting? The following five tips can help you identify and thaw frozen pipes if you ever find them in your home or business.

1. If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen pipe. Likely places for frozen pipes include against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.
2. Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt ice in the pipe.
3. Apply heat to the section of the pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device. 
4. Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you can not thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.
5. Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze, too.

Be prepared for water damage before it happens! Call SERVPRO of Northwest Portland at 503-283-3658 for any questions, and don’t hesitate to mitigate the damage the minute you see it!

Sources: Ready.Gov, The American Red Cross