Unless you’re a skier or enjoy ice fishing, there really isn’t a lot to look forward to during the cold months. Our first priority is always going to be to make sure ourselves, as well as our friends, family, and pets, are safe as the mercury continues to plunge. The protection of your home from the cold temps is also critical this time of year. Prevention is always the top priority – but here’s what to do when your pipes freeze in the Winter:
Why Do Pipes Freeze and What’s the Damage?
Pipes freeze because it’s cold; a no-brainer, right? Well, why is it that your neighbors are out keeping warm in their hot tub while you can’t even pour a glass of water? The answer is because it’s not the cold temps alone that cause pipes to freeze. Also, the freezing doesn’t cause the most damage – it’s the impending thawing.
Pipes can freeze up because they aren’t properly insulated. For roughly $4 per foot, you can have foam insulation installed to create a barrier between the cold and your pipes, saving you hundreds in potential damage. Failure to ‘winterize’ your home also causes pipes to freeze. Leaving a hose hooked up outside, for example, creates a pressure buildup that will actually cause a burst in the cold weather – not good. Turning your heat off when leaving for a Winter weekend is another surefire way to return home to some sort of plumbing damage.
Damage from frozen pipes can range from plumbing repairs to the complete replacement of drywall, carpet, wood floors, furniture, and more. It’s not unheard of for frozen (then thawing) pipes to cause $5,000 – $10,000 worth of damage to a property. This is why it’s important to know what to do when your pipes freeze in the Winter.
Prevention Didn’t Work – Now What?
So your home’s plumbing has frozen up – it doesn’t have to be a death sentence especially if you act promptly and properly. Sometimes the most that happens when your pipes freeze is just that you’re without water for a stretch.
The first thing you want to do when your pipes freeze is open up the hot and cold faucets. This will relieve pressure in the system and give the thawing water somewhere to go when it does begin to thaw. You always want to start thawing at the faucet and work towards the blockage. Starting to thaw in the middle of the pipes, for example, can create a steam blockage that causes a burst.
There are a number of thawing methods that can be attempted as well. It works to wrap the frozen section of pipes in a warm towel and regularly pour hot water over the top of them. On exposed areas of pipe that are frozen you can also use a hair dryer or space heater thaw the ice.
What to Do When Pipes Freeze In Winter – Call a Plumber
Sometimes the safest option is to simply call a plumber when your pipes freeze in Winter. An experienced plumber can pinpoint the blockage and perform the proper reparation methods depending on where the issue is located (even behind walls). Best of all when a plumber comes on site, it’s like a Winter pipe audit. You’ll know the problem areas (exposed pipe, poor home insulation, gaps around windows/doors, etc.) and the appropriate solution. Peace of mind is priceless, especially in the bitter cold Winter months.
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Manny came to my home to find a leak in my gas pipe. He found it within the first 10 minutes and had the pipe apart and back together in no time! While working he explained everything he was doing and why. He was incredibly professional the whole time. He is invited back any time!
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Andrew Ricci
Hunter came out today after we had a sewer backup. He was very knowledgeable, thorough, and professional. He explained every step of the process and showed us what he was seeing on his camera. I would highly recommend them and will definitely be using their services in the future!
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Matthew Lubera
This was my first time using the company, and I had a great experience with Glen. He came out to clear a badly clogged kitchen sink and was incredibly professional, knowledgeable, and thorough. He took the time to make sure everything was completely cleared and working properly, and he was extremely clean and careful throughout the process. What I especially appreciated was that Glen went above and beyond the actual repair — he even took the time to clean out the debris underneath my sink before he left, which I certainly wasn’t expecting! He was friendly, respectful of my home, and clearly takes pride in his work. I would absolutely request Glen again and highly recommend him to anyone needing a plumber.
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Jessica Wren
Double header! First, John gave my home a top-notch thorough plumbing inspection and found some problems plumbers never unearthed over the last 20 years that were the root of other problems. Great job. Then Daniel B. and D'Vante cleaned the ducts and were a great team, making sure they got to ever nook and cranny. High five!
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Jane O'Reilly
Second visit from Bruni & Campisi after the water heater broke down. Jason Rees was phenomenal: he explained very well what happened with the heater, he drained it completely so it wouldn’t leaked anymore (which kept happening after water was shut off), contacted the manufacturer since the heater was under warranty, and soon we should be getting the new one installed. Thanks a lot Jason!
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Augusto Gallipoli
John O did great on my plumbing inspection the other day. He was very knowledgeable and helpful!
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John Thompson
John Orlando did an inspection of existing plumbing. He was courteous and thorough. He explained everything well and helped me to prioritize the work to be done. 😁😁😁
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Carolynn Sears
They replaced out hot water heater, which was behind some pipes and the AC system. A big job, and it took them all day, but the work was perfect and even the small touches were professionally done.
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Jay P
Glenn was great to work with. He was professional, knowledgeable, patient, and very thorough in diagnosing the plumbing issue. He took the time to perform multiple tests, explain what he was doing, and walk me through the possible causes and next steps. I especially appreciated that he didn’t rush the appointment and made sure we had a better understanding of the issue before recommending any major work. Great customer service and a very positive experience with Glenn and Bruni & Campisi. Highly recommend!
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RayEzyReacts
I was very impressed with Glen. He explained everything that was involved with the problems I’ve been having and he did it in a way that I understood everything. he was knowledgeable, professional, and obviously sounded very experienced. I’m going to ask the company to send Glen to me from now on whenever I need plumbing work and I am a long-term customer. I’ve been with Bruni and campisi for 13 years so he’s the best.
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Y A
Called the company to replace existing toilet and was sold a replacement which would be installed at later date. Looked up the cost of the toilet online and we were definitely overcharged but figured it might be worth it for the time saved and convenience. 2 weeks went by and I heard nothing. Called the company 2 times and got an AI robot telling me “someone would get back to me” which didn’t happen. I finally got a hold of a human who scheduled the job for the next day. The service technicians went above and beyond to make sure the job was done properly and apologized for the delay and miscommunication. We even received a small discount on the original price of the job.
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J B
Glen came into flush our hot water tank. He was knowledgeable, courteous and shared his years of experience with the homeowners. If we have any plumbing needs in the future we will specifically request Glen. His “bed-side” manner if you will was impressive and impeccable. He was also efficient. Thank you Glen we appreciate the top notch service.
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Nicole Woodall
Excellent work. Cleaned a sump pump quickly and efficiently. Explained how to maintain understandably. Respectful and conscientious. Will recommend to friends.
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Sarah Lorenzini
Just had Bruni & Campisi provide me with a quote to perform the installation of a new toilet in my daughter’s apartment. The plumber that was sent to inspect and consider the scope of work was Glen, and he was knowledgeable, efficient and reasonably priced for plumbing work. Glen and Bruni & Campisi are professionals that I definitely recommend if you have any plumbing needs.
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Lisa Reaves
Yesterday we had our water heater installed buy your technician Miguel. he was patient and answered questions I had regarding the process. when finished he showed me we're all in necessary pieces that we needed to know were located. He cleaned up any mess he made. My husband and I are very happy with the service we received, by both technicians. Al who first came to look at the old water heater. He explained exactly what needed to be done. and Miguel who came to the installation. We highly recommend Bruni & Campsi. They provide top notch. service.
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jodi DeLuca
