The risk of frozen pipes bursting is a very prevalent danger in this time of the year. In areas all around the country, people are reporting that pipes have burst in their homes or offices. It is a horrible process that causes a great amount of damage and costs a lot money to recover from.

However, you can take steps to prevent pipes from bursting in the future. Each of the following steps can pay dividends in helping you know how to prevent pipes from bursting.

Allow Water to Drip

Let faucets drip in different locations of the house. In some areas use the cold faucet, and for others use hot, because they each work through different lines.

The reasoning behind doing this is to allow water to keep flowing. If it stops moving, then the odds of it freezing and bursting increases exponentially.

Turn off Main Water Valve

If temperatures are freezing, turn the main water valve off before leaving the house or going to sleep. It is important to keep an eye on your pipes and temperature in these situations. If you are asleep or away from home and a pipe bursts, then it could result in major flooding problems.

Check for Air Space

Search areas of your home where you have plumbing on the exterior walls. Check for possible sources of air leaks that could cause the pipes to freeze.

To prevent cold air from reaching it, place insulation between the pipes and outside wall of your home. You can also open the cabinets underneath each sink, which can insulate your pipes from the warmer air in your home. This will allow the warm air from your heating system to keep the pipes warmer.

Contact a Plumber

If you do not know where your main water valve is, or have questions on the current state of your pipes, then seek the help of a plumber immediately. They can help fix your pipes before they are tested in freezing temperatures. To find a plumber who fits in your schedule, just use TalkLocal. We will expedite the research and contact process, connecting you directly with the right professional in just minutes.

As a result of record-shattering low temperatures, pipes have been bursting across the United States.  If this happens to you, then it will not take long for the water to wreak havoc on your home. You must act quickly and carefully in order to save your property from severe water damage. Here are steps that should be taken immediately if your frozen pipes burst.

Turn off the Water Supply

The most critical thing you have to do in dealing with a burst pipe is turning off the water supply and stopping the flow of water. As soon as the pipe bursts, quickly get to and turn the water shutoff valve. Every minute that the water runs in this situation, the more damage it causes.

Vent Moist Air Out

Open windows and place several fans around the area to help circulate the air and send moisture out the windows. If the pipe burst in an enclosed area, turn on one or several dehumidifiers to remove the water from the home.

Take Caution Around Flooded Areas

If there is an excess amount of water running in your basement or living area, then you may be tempted to run and retrieve valuable items. However, this is not the safe thing to do.

There is a very real danger of electrocution if there is an extension cord or other electrical item in the area that has become frayed.  If someone gets electrocuted, they may fall back, hit their head and sustain a serious or fatal injury.

Seek Help Immediately

If there is damage to the flooring or walls then you will need the services of a water mitigation company. These services clean up, dry out, and repair damage in situations such as this. Many of these companies manage the entire restoration process from working with your insurance provider, drying out the damage and making repairs.

In finding the best company to save your home, contact Seva Call. We will quickly connect you to the most reputable service in the area for this emergency. Seek help immediately in order to save the value of your home and valuables.

Just as I encountered two of the most common leaky home repairs that you may encounter as a homeowner — in the attic and in the bathroom –I have had to deal with other leaks in and around my home.

In the Kitchen

Yet another hot spot for leaks is the kitchen. Under my kitchen sink, the previous tenants obviously did some damage. Somehow they installed the garbage disposal incorrectly, and every time that or the dishwasher was used the plumbing would leak.

I didn’t know about if for a while until the cabinet began to stink. After cleaning out the cleaning supplies and being totally grossed out at the slimy mold that was growing down there, I had to rip out that wood altogether.

While down there, I accidentally discovered the source of the leak. After uninstalling everything, replacing the pipes with the help of a plumber, and then re-installing everything, the leak was finally fixed. Of course, to get everything really fixed we had to cut off the pipe down to the wall and start from scratch. We also discovered that the amazing house builders had chosen to put the main drain for my home under my kitchen sink as well. That will be fun to deal with should anything ever come up.

In the Wall

Another incident that occurred was the fault of a storm. During a rain storm, a ladder was blown over on top of the back yard faucet. Nothing looked out of place, but the pipe inside had been twisted and developed a small but growing leak. We knew nothing about it until we noticed that a section of the interior wall and the carpet around it was damp.

We had to cut away part of the home’s siding to get to the pipes. After a plumber came, we had to cut off the broken pipe and attach a new one before we could stop the leak.

In the Yard

Last but not least, the most mysterious leak we ever had was in the yard. During a very bad dry season when the land was contracting at an alarming rate, I wondered why a section of the grass in my yard was greener than the rest. When the water bill came, I was shocked to see it had more than doubled. The water company agreed to recheck the meter. However, when the man opened the lid, it was full of water! It turns out that a part of the water pipes from the water main to my home had cracked underground. Of course this was not covered by the water company, so I had to pay the bill and pay to get the pipe fixed.

Our faithful plumber came out and thankfully only had to dig up a small section of the yard before finding the source of the leak. An underground leak is not easy to find!

As you can see, water leaks can cause many problems and be found in nearly any place in your home. The best thing to do is keep your eyes open for anything that signifies a leak. Wet spots, discoloration, or even green grass can mean there is a problem. Let TalkLocal connect you with a professional as soon as possible to avoid having to repair even more damage.

Author Bio: This is a guest post by Liz Nelson from WhiteFence.com. She is a freelance writer and blogger from Houston. Questions and comments can be sent to: liznelson17 @ gmail.com.

Even a small water leak can become a big problem. I know, because my home is the king of leaks. I don’t know what it is about a home that is more than a handful of years old, but water just seems to want to escape from pipes and other places and seek out anything it can to destroy. From collapsed ceilings to mushy yards to moldy cabinets, I have had more than my fair share of water disasters.

Here are some things you can watch out for in your home to prevent leaks, repair leaks, and fix water damage.

Leaky Home Repairs in the Attic

When I first got my house I had no idea what I was doing. I got it inspected, of course, but in reality I knew nothing about home repair or maintenance; which is why I freaked out when it started raining in my garage. Water dripped across the ceiling and onto the cars, and the ceiling drooped down in a disturbingly bubble-like fashion.

I evacuated the garage and inspected the attic, finding out that the air conditioning unit’s drain hose had become plugged, and the drip pan was overflowing. No matter how many air conditioning repair technicians I called, none could figure out how to get the unit to drain properly. They advised me to turn the unit off, but at 100 degrees-plus outside, how could I?

Eventually, part of the ceiling collapsed, and shortly thereafter, the problem was fixed. I was able to replace a section of the ceiling without a big problem, but it wasn’t something I would like to repeat.

This made it all the more frustrating when the downstairs bathroom ceiling started dripping too. With a surge of fear, I quickly called a plumber who let me know a drain pipe from the upstairs bathroom had cracked, allowing the water to drip through. We got that sealed and resolved before any major damage was done, thankfully.

Leaky Home Repairs in the Bathroom

Speaking of bathrooms, this is a hot spot for leaks of all kinds. For me, the biggest issue I have faced is with the downstairs bathtub. The faucet started to leak one day, and I thought it would be a simple repair. However, the faucet was too old to fix and needed to be replaced to stop the leak. The tile around the faucet had to be broken away to get to the pipes, and I was left with a huge hole in my shower.

After that, another disaster occurred, this one man-made. Never leave firecrackers and matches anywhere near your toilet. That auto-fill feature is killer! From wet carpets in the next room to a stinky replacement process, it was a hassle. Just for your future knowledge, it is not possible to repair a cracked toilet. Not even with lots and lots of waterproof tape.

As a home ages, it seems like the hot water pipes take the worst beating. I have had to replace the hot water pipes under both of my bathroom sinks. Thankful for WD-40, I was able to pry them off and replace them myself, as they simply screw on.

Water, Water Everywhere!

If you are having any issues with leaky pipes or ceilings, you’ll want to get it checked out ASAP. But don’t waste time calling around. Use TalkLocal to find the right professional in just minutes.

Author Bio: This is a guest post by Liz Nelson from WhiteFence.com. She is a freelance writer and blogger from Houston. Questions and comments can be sent to: liznelson17 @ gmail.com.