Restoration Local Offers Tips On Repairing Frozen Pipes
Cleveland, OH (PRWEB) January 19, 2014 -- Restoration Local, one of the leading providers of water damage repair and restoration in the United States, is offering tips to property owners on how to best handle frozen pipes or pipes that have burst due to freezing. This is one of the leading causes of residential and commercial water damage during the winter months.
Turning on the water and getting nothing usually means the pipes have frozen up at some point. Hopefully, the freeze is in an area that is easily accessible. Otherwise, specialized treatment may be required to correct the problem.
Drop ceilings are ideal for this sort of work, since panels can be easily removed for access to plumbing, wiring, etc. This allows for repairs to be made and the ceiling reinstalled with minimum fuss. Other areas, such as behind interior walls or above ceilings, may require more work.
Once the pipe is exposed, a heat gun can be used to melt the ice. While these are effective tools, they can be dangerous in that they will ignite other materials such as wood or paper. Blowtorches should not be used under any circumstance, since a cut into the wrong pipe could cause a gas explosion.
Pipes may also be wrapped with insulation or have warm, damp rags applied to allow the lines to thaw. If this does not correct the problem, then there may be an issue with the boiler or water heater.
If a pipe breaks due to freezing, then the water will need to be shut off at the main valve. Valves are located in two places, near the property line in the ground, and another in the home near the water meter. Smaller localized valves may be found near refrigerators and toilets. If the valve does not work as it should, then contact the local public works department and ask for the water to be shut off.
Restoration Local is one of the leading providers of water damage restoration and mold remediation services in the US, with providers in 30 states, 24/7 availability, and same day emergency service. They are certified by the Clean Trust (IICRC) and Restoration Industry Association (RIA) and a member in good standing with the Better Business Bureau.
Darrell Ritchie, 33 Mile Radius, http://www.33mileradius.com/, +1 678-860-4004, [email protected]
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