TEXAS – The worst bitter cold has passed and Texas is projected to slowly warm up from Friday. By Sunday, parts of Texas will see highs in the 1960s.
However, if your pipes are frozen during the weeklong freeze, they will likely thaw on Friday and you might get a nasty surprise.
If a pipe breaks and water starts flowing out, the first thing to do is turn off the main water that is leading to your house. In general, if you’re not sure where it is, you can find out from the home inspection report that you should have received prior to moving in.
You will then have to open all the faucets that are connected to the defective pipe. Open it, but not all the way. Just enough to drain.
You need a mop and you are ready to get to work, but you need to contact a professional plumber as soon as possible. If your home is damaged by water, you need to contact a water restoration specialist.
Remember that a pipe can break inside your walls or outside your home and is not immediately noticeable. Check your walls and ceiling for discoloration. Lower water pressure is also a giveaway. A spike in your water bill can also indicate a leak.
Still, if your pipes have been exposed to a harsh frost but have not burst, it is still recommended that you contact a plumber to inspect them and, if necessary, make repairs to damaged pipes.
Before repairing, document any damage to your home with photos and videos. You will want to contact your home insurer and this will help you. Broken pipes and water damage repairs could cost you thousands of dollars, but your insurance could cover some of it and you could even qualify for FEMA help in some cases.
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