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New Berlin, West Allis, Wauwatosa, Franklin, Cudahy, Oak Creek, Greenfield, Muskego, St. Francis, Hales Corners, South Milwaukee
Plumbing emergencies do not work on schedules. You can experience one at any time of the day or night. However, it is when they occur during the overnight hours that you may have to find a temporary solution to hold you over until the plumber you’ve called can come in and save the day.
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A burst pipe is one of every homeowner’s worst nightmares. Water pipes are particularly vulnerable during the winter months. This is attributed to the fact that, when water freezes, it tends to expand, and it does so with remarkable force – up to 40 pounds per square inch!
The first thing you need to do when dealing with a burst is to contact a professional plumber. As you wait for your plumber to get there, there are some things you can do to minimize water damage and prevent leaks in the future.
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When winter hits Milwaukee, it usually means below freezing temperatures, and that frequently results in burst and freezing pipes.
If you happen to notice reduced flow from your faucets, that can be an indication of frozen pipes. Don’t fret though, frozen pipes don’t necessarily mean burst ones. Most of them can be salvaged by gradually thawing them out. However, you can save yourself from being in this predicament by following these steps:
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That slightly charming but slightly annoying sound coming from your kitchen faucet – we all know it. Unfortunately, while it might seem like it, it’s not a harmless leak. It is actually a ticking time bomb. A lot of people actively ignore leaks considering they don’t seem like a major issue. That being said, rarely are they ever actually fixed because of this.
The truth is, a lot of the smaller leaks that you might have can be quickly fixed if they are caught early on.
Below, we will be detailing reasons you should be proactive with fixing leaks as soon as you notice them.
While occasionally, a water leak may be easy to spot. Other times, you won’t be so lucky. Unfortunately, water leaks can be very subtle. This is especially true in cases where the leaks are naturally hidden. The good news, any leak will leave various signs that you should be able to spot to help you address the issue before it’s too late. Here are some of the signs you should be looking for when you are dealing with a leak.
Some plumbing leaks are noticeable, while others are very difficult to detect, unless you have a good idea of what to search for. Leaks that are hard to see or find can cause a lot of damage, far more than the leaks that are noticeable. Many people don’t realize that plastic parts are found in many of the faucets and handles on the market, and these parts can easily crack when they are used frequently.
When such parts crack or become damaged, then water leaks can occur. These types of leaks can accumulate in a specific area. In turn, you’ll have to perform a thorough inspection in order to see if damage has occurred.
Thawing a frozen water pipe quickly is crucial. However, it is equally important to ensure you thaw a frozen pipe correctly. Here are top tips that will help you get water flowing and help you avert the crisis of a burst pipe or potentially damaging floods in your home.
Tip #1: Locating the Frozen Pipe
Thawing frozen pipes starts with determining which pipe or pipes have frozen. Turn on all water faucets, and if no water pours or just a little of it trickles, then you should know that the pipe leading to the valve is frozen. And if the pipe is exposed, like in the basement, under the sink, or on the exterior of your house, you could see the frozen part of the pipe. Frozen pipes usually have frost on them or could have a small bulge.
Tip #2: Open the Faucet
Before you can commence any attempts to thaw frozen pipes, you will need to open all faucets which the pipe delivers water into. You should open both the cold and hot handles in this case. This is a good way to release the pressure in the system, and it will let water escape when you start to thaw your frozen pipe.
Tip #3: Where Should You Begin?
If you are doing the thawing on your own, you should start the process close to the faucet and work your way slowly down the blockage point. This aids in ensuring that the steam and melting ice escape via the open section. If you begin the process nearer to the blockage, the melting ice will probably get stuck behind your blockage, create more pressure in your pipes and increase the chances of your pipe bursting.
Tip #4: Thawing the Exposed Pipes
If your frozen pipe is in an area that you can access easily, there are numerous options for trying to thaw the pipe. You should not stop applying heat until the water running through the faucet runs at full strength. Here are your options for thawing exposed pipes.
We hope these tips help you if you have frozen pipes that you need to thaw. And, if you’re looking for professional help please call our pipe repair service. We’re available 24/7, so if you have an emergency you can count on us.
Burst water pipes can result in thousands of dollars in damages and this is why many people take measures to ensure this doesn’t happen. There are times when the pipes can burst no matter how much you do to prevent it. When you get this problem you will need to deal with it in the shortest time possible and minimize the damage. Below are some of the things you will need to do when you have a burst pipe.
Shut off the water
The first thing you will need to do is turning off water at the mains. This is important because it will stop the flow of water into your home and this prevents any further damage. If there is still a flow of water drain the water in your system by flushing your toilet many times until the flow dries up. If there are any electrical sockets affected, then turn off the main switch of your electricity immediately.
Open the faucets
It is a good idea to open the faucet because when the main valve has been shut off there will still be pressure inside the pipes. Opening the faucets will let out any remaining water and there will be no pressure in the pipes. This will make it easier during the repairs because the pipes will have no water.
Call a plumber
Unless you have experience with repairing broken pipes you will need to call a plumber to do the work at some point. There are a number of things you can do before calling a local plumber near you and it is important in order to reduce the damage caused by the burst pipe. A plumber will help you with tips to prevent further damage and how to deal with the problem while waiting for the plumber to get to your home.
Getting rid of the water
Take a mop, bucket, and a shop vacuum then start getting rid of the water because you don’t want everything in your home soaking in water. Cleaning up as soon as possible will help in preventing mold. When getting rid of water see whether there is contact with any electrical wires or equipment with water because you don’t want to get shocked in the process.
Having a burst pipe is a big problem but what you do after it determines the damage it is going to cause. Use the above tips and you will have an easier time dealing with the burst pipe.
Plumbing issues will arise during the most inconvenient times and this is because it is the time when there is a lot of stress on your pipes. Seasonal shifts, winter temperatures, or travel will push the plumbing system to the brink. Below are some great tips that will help you in preparing the plumbing system for the cold-weather season.
Protecting the plumbing pipes from freezing
When the temperature drops during winter in Milwaukee, the water inside can easily freeze, and this can lead to bursting of the pipes. The damage can be big if you are out of the house, with some being massive flooding of your home and damage to your rugs, furniture, and home structure. If you want to reduce the risk of the pipes bursting, wrap the un-insulated pipes using foam. You can get foam tubes you’re your local hardware store. If the foam doesn’t have self-adhesive edges, use duct tape.
Fix Plumbing Leaks Now
The best time to get your leaks repaired is now. You should do a proper check of the faucets in the kitchen, bathrooms, and any other rooms and see whether there are drips and puddles. If you notice any problem with the faucet, call a plumber so that the problem can be fixed.
Drain the Water Heater
If you are in a location that has hard water, then the sediment will build up in your tank, and this causes rust to start developing inside. The rust can then find a way into your cooking, drinking, and bathing water. If the hot water heater is too old or rusted, then you should think about a new unit before the winter season.
Losing the Outdoor Hose
The best thing to do is disconnecting, wrapping up and packing away the garden hose until the return of warm weather. When you leave it connected, it can cause the water left inside it to freeze and expands, and this will also cause the freezing of the connecting pipes and faucets as well.
Closing and Draining Shut-Off Valves Leading Outdoors
If there are interior shut off valves in your home that lead to outdoor faucets, then you should close them than drain the water from outside lines. If there is water in the lines, it can easily freeze and result in a lot of damage.
The above tips will go a long way in helping you avoid pipe leaks. However, if you already have a problem and need a local pipe repair service call us 24/7.