It gets cold here in New Jersey & Pennsylvania. And right around this time of year, you’ll start seeing snow, bundling up and turning that space heater on. The ice hanging from your home’s roof may be beautiful, but the ice in your pipes? Not so much.

Sometimes frozen pipes are an inconvenience at most, but sometimes they can lead to massive property damage. So, it’s important to understand the possible dangers of frozen pipes.

The most common problem associated with frozen pipes is the lack of running water which is not just annoying, but it can lead to a backup of running water. Water backups lead to bursting pipes & bursting pipes lead to flooding homes. If your home floods – you’re at risk for some serious water damage. And where there is water- there can be harmful mold.

Some pipes are more susceptible to freezing than others. Pipes that aren’t properly insulated are often more vulnerable to freezing. Additionally, pipes in basements or attics are more likely to freeze because they’re not as exposed to heat as the rest of your home. Studies show that about 40% of frozen pipe issues actually happen in the basement of the home. But don’t forget about the pipes on your exterior walls – they’re usually less insulated than others and are prone to bursting when frozen.

So, how do you prevent water damage from failed plumbing in the cold winter months? The most important thing you can do is get familiar with these common warning signs, so you can detect frozen pipes and call a professional before the damage happens.

• Frost: Visible pipes make this extra easy. If you can see the pipe, and it has frost on the outside – chances are that there is frozen water in there. If you see frost, you can hedge your bets and call a professional before you ever turn the water on.
• Lack of Water: While the lack of flowing water could be caused by several things – if it’s cold outside and your water isn’t flowing, you can pretty safely assume that frozen pipes are the culprit.
• Weird Smells: If a pipe is blocked by frozen water, you might notice a weird or sometimes unpleasant smell from the drain or faucet. If the pipe is blocked, there is nowhere for the smell to go but into your home.

If you notice any of these signs, you’ll want to reach for the phone and call a plumber as soon as possible. But we don’t always catch it in time – and where there is moisture, there can be mold. If you have suffered water damage from flooding caused by frozen pipes – Dynamic Remediation Solutions is here to help! Contact us today and we’ll help you get back to your normal, dry life.