How to Prevent Frozen Water Pipes in Dallas

12/17/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is a water damage restoration company in Dallas Texas with over 30 years of experience. Photo: DMN

Winter Storm Preparedness: How to Prevent Frozen Water Pipes

Winter storms don’t happen very often in Dallas, but, like the old saying goes:

“If you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes.”

The National Severe Storms Laboratory categories a winter storm as having

• Snow
• Sleet, or
• Freezing rain

In Dallas, we can see any of this type of precipitation for just a few days out of the year.  Those days matter! When the temperature is below the freezing point and precipitation is in the forecast, that’s when office receives dozens of water damage calls per day.

Pipes Freezing

A water damage during a winter storm usually happens when your pipes freeze.  When water freezes, it turns into ice. As it turns into ice, the space that the water takes up in the pipe gets bigger.  The bigger the expansion, the more pressure that is created inside the pipe. Some pipes may just get bent out of shape, but others will eventually break.

The pipes that are most likely to freeze are those outside the home that are exposed to the cold air.

Other vulnerable pipes are those indoors that don’t have access to heat, like those under your kitchen cabinets or in the garage.

How to Keep Pipes from Freezing in Dallas

The best way to handle a water damage is to never let one happen.  Although we have seen some pipes still burst even after precautions were taken place, the damage that resulted was considerably less.  You can’t always prevent things from happening, but you can always be prepared.

• Before temperatures reach freezing, insulate exposed and vulnerable pipes.  You can do this by installing pipe sleeves or even wrapping the pipes with newspaper.
• Close the garage door to prevent cold air from coming in.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinets to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes.
• Keep your home heated above 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Keep an eye on the weather forecast.  Are below freezing temperatures coming your way?  It’s easy to keep up with the weather these days. We recommend you download any weather app at the Play store or App store.

Still Need Water Damage Services?

If your pipes still freeze and you have a water damage, give us a call immediately.  A water damage that is not taken care of within 48 hours has a high probability of causing mold damage.

1. Don’t delay.  Call us as soon as you notice your water damage.  The longer water stands in a structure, the more it will soak into the floors and walls of your home.  As soon as you call, we will schedule a crew of technicians to travel to your home and begin remediation.  
2. Cut off the water source, if possible.  There are usually water turn off valves for homes in garages.  They are also usually available somewhere on your lawn.
3. Get contents off the floor.  Many homeowners rush to put down towels to stop the water flow, and that’s okay.  Towels can easily be cleaned at our cleaning facility if need be. What you want to look out for are small fragile textiles or objects on the floor that can be damaged by water.  Examples include rugs, shoes, and anything else that is light enough for you to carry.
4. Begin documentation.  Take pictures where you see the water coming from.  Then, take pictures of all the affected areas. Make note of the time this is taking place.  While our technicians will also take the same documentation, it's important to start documenting as soon as possible to prove your loss to your insurance company.

Water Damage Remediation Process

24 Hour Emergency

As soon as you see the signs of a water damage, give us a call.  We have a 24 hour line for all emergency water damage services. Our technicians are ready for dispatch 24 hours a day every day of the year.  

Assessment

When our technicians arrive, they will assess your property and determine the source of the water damage.  When the water is cut off, they will begin water extraction.

Water Extraction

Please be aware that we may have to move some furniture and lift or remove carpet and pad to reach as much water as possible.  It’s important to perform water removal in all affected areas to prevent secondary damage to your home.

Sanitation

If we are dealing with a Category 2 Water or Category 3 Water Damage, then the water has a high likelihood of containing microbial contamination.  In these cases, we will remove carpet, pad, and also sanitize all wet areas. Our spray is a biocide and fungicide to kill microbes on contact. It also helps prevent mold damage.

Water Cleanup Equipment Placement

We will come prepared with professional drying equipment.  We will set air movers and dehumidifiers in strategic places around your home to start the drying process.  Our equipment must run 24 hours a day to be completely effective. The purpose of the equipment is to control your home’s humidity and help everything dry as quickly as possible.

Drying Monitoring

Our technicians will visit your home every day to check on the equipment’s efficiency and record data to monitor the drying process.  This data is sent to your insurance adjuster. We will move equipment or remove it completely as we reach drying goals.

Water Damage Repair

If any part of your home was permanently damaged due to the water damage, our reconstruction team will come in and rebuild it.  We will restore your home to the way it was before the damage.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Water Damage?

From our experience, most home insurance does cover water damage.  However, it’s important that you check with your insurance company to make sure.  If you decide to file a water damage claim, you will be assigned a Job File Coordinator from our office.  This person will guide you through the insurance claim process and work every day with your insurance adjuster to get different portions of your claim approved.  If you have any questions, we’ll always be here to help!

SERVPRO has worked with all insurance carriers.  We have helped thousands of homeowners navigate the insurance claim process, and we’re glad to help you, too.

Water Damage Certification

Trust a company with trained and experienced technicians.  Our employees begin their career with us by first passing the SERVPRO water mitigation training.  Then, they advance to earn their IICRC Water Damage Certification. The IICRC is an independent certification body for the restoration industry and a trusted leader in water damage training.  

Our technicians are trained and ready to help you now.  We are the water damage restoration experts you can trust.

Trusted Leader in Water Damage Restoration Dallas Texas

SERVPRO of North Irving is a Dallas water damage restoration and fire and smoke damage restoration company in Dallas Texas.  We have performed work in the Dallas community for over 30 years.  With our crews responding immediately to jobs, we are faster to any size disaster. We also have a Texas Mold Remediation Contractor License and offer free mold inspections.  You can trust us to restore your home or business.

Our crews are available dispatch for 24 hour emergencies every day of the year. We can be reached 24/7 at (972) 986-7677.  Call us any time!

“Like it never even happened,” only happens here.