The Recent Snowstorms Have Already Been Devastating. We're Here to Help.
The recent severe snowstorms and frigid temperatures have already created incredibly difficult situations for home and business owners across Texas. Energy networks and home piping systems in the region have seen particular damage, as they are not adequately prepared for extremely low temperatures or icy conditions. If you are in Texas and have been without power for an extended period of time, the most important thing to do is keep yourself and your family safe. There are hundreds of warming centers open across the state. Click here to find the closest one to you or dial 211 for further assistance.
Once you and the members of your household are safe, it's time to consider your home and how this weather will affect it. At Frontier Services Group, we have been watching the situation with concern. As local residents ourselves, we are committed to keeping homes and commercial properties in the area safe from storm and weather damages. Our professionals are here to help during this difficult time.
How Does This Weather Affect Your Home?
Freezing temperatures can cause extensive damage to your home, especially if your pipes freeze. Frozen pipes are incredibly dangerous: as water in the pipe freezes, it expands, bursting the pipe. Once temperatures warm and the water melts, the pipe will leak. The resulting damage can be extensive. According to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, a burst pipe can cause $5,000 or more in water damage. During these snowstorms, we are seeing an increasing number of homes that are experiencing frozen pipes, especially as entire areas go longer and longer without power.. Taking fast action or precautions, if possible, can save you from the worst of the damages.
What Can You Do to Protect Your Home?
While there isn't much we can do right now to control the weather or determine when power will start going back on, there are precautions you can take now to prevent frozen pipes if you are lucky enough to still have running water in your home. Taking these actions now can help ward off water damage from burst pipes.
- Drain water from pipes that are likely to freeze, especially external pipes. This includes sprinkler supply lines and swimming pools.
- Disconnect any hoses from the outside of your home, drain them, and store them indoors or in your garage. Make sure to close any indoor valves that supply these outdoor access points.
- Apply insulation materials to any areas around vents and light fixtures to help prevent heat from escaping into your attic.
- Seal up any wall cracks, paying special attention to areas around utility service lines.
- Allow your faucets to drip cold water; the movement will make it more difficult for water to freeze.
- Properly seal up your doors and windows.
- Keep your garage door closed to protect your water lines.
If your pipes have already frozen, it's important to act quickly to prevent damage. You can tell if your pipes are frozen if no water comes out of your faucet when you turn it on. If this happens, inspect your valves and pipes to see if you have any leaks or if any of your pipes have burst. If your pipes are frozen but not ruptured yet, you can attempt to thaw them yourself or call a professional plumber. Calling a plumber is usually the safest bet; however, with the current situation as it stands, you might have better (and faster) luck trying a DIY fix.
- Keep your faucet open during the thawing process to safely get rid of water and steam; your pipes will need an opening to get rid of excess moisture.
- Apply heat to frozen areas of pipe. This can be done via hair dryer, applying an electronic heating pad, or using towels soaked in hot water. Never use an open flame, blowtorch, or propane/kerosene heaters; this presents a severe fire hazard. Remain near your pipes during the thawing process.
- If your frozen pipes are on an exterior wall, contact a professional if you can, as repairs might be more involved than simply thawing your pipes.
If your pipes have ruptured but have not begun to leak yet, your safest bet will be to turn off the water main to your home to minimize the damage once things begin to thaw. Open any faucets connected to the pipe to reduce pressure and control flooding.
How Can We Help?
Unfortunately, it is very likely that many homes in the greater Beaumont, Dallas, and Houston, TX areas will experience leaking or burst pipes as a result of this uncharacteristic cold snap. Frontier Services Group offers comprehensive services to help your household in these situations, even during an emergency situation. Left unchecked, water damage can create further issues in your home, including mold, rot, mildew, pest infestations, and eventually structural damage. We offer emergency water removal and cleanup services to ensure that none of these things come to pass - or remove the issue if they do come to pass. We offer mold removal services, flood and water damage restoration, and more. Let us help return your home to normal. Reach out to our professionals today!
