Will I Have to Repipe My Home After My Pipes Freeze or Burst?

Many people experience the need for a plumber during the cold winter months, especially during times of sub-zero temperatures. When water freezes, it expands, taking up more space than the equivalent mass of liquid water. This is bad news for pipes should water have nowhere to go and freeze. This extra volume puts forces and pressure on pipes, and older pipes can actually crack or burst under pressure. Most plumbers become swamped with calls of people needing assistance with frozen and burst pipes. If you experience a burst pipe in your home, here is what you should do.

Shut Off Your Water

First and foremost, you should shut off your water from your home's main water valve. You should be aware of where this is, and if you are unsure, now is a good time to learn. If there is extensive water damage and pooling water, you may also consider shutting off your electricity as well. If you live in an apartment or condo building, you should also immediately alert any building manager or landlord that you might have.

Find a Plumber for Leak Repair

Once you have shut things off, you will want to find a plumber who will be able to come in and help out. A plumber will be able to come in and determine where the damage is, how bad it is, and the best way to go about fixing it. Often, people ask whether they will have to repipe their entire home after pipes have frozen and burst. This often depends on the severity of damage. If the crack is in one location, a plumber can often just replace a small section of piping. Often, the damaged pipe is hidden under drywall, so a small section of drywall may need to be cut and removed.

You will also want to make sure that water is removed and properly dry. This remediation may require replacing drywall or other materials, but sometimes fans and dehumidifiers will suffice. Again, this depends on how much water became trapped. You want to ensure it is completely dry to prevent any mildew or mold from growing in the walls.

A burst pipe is never a fun experience. If you need help with a burst pipe, or require repiping in your home, give 604FixLeak a call.