Frozen Burst Pipe Repair Dallas Fort Worth

Water Damage Insurance Claims Due to Frozen Burst Pipe Repair

Frozen Burst Pipe Repair Dallas Fort Worth

As winter temperatures drop throughout the country, water damage scenarios due to frozen and burst pipes are a common complaint, judging from phones ringing at insurance and water damage restoration companies. This is not a minor issue localized to certain areas, but rather an ordeal faced by many households and businesses, as about a quarter of a million residential and commercial properties throughout the country have water damage due to frozen and burst pipes on an annual basis. To put water damage from frozen pipesin perspective, the number of insurance claims stemming from burst pipes is about five times higher than those from fire damage. Keep in mind that homeowners’ insurance policies usually cover water damages caused by unexpected or sudden emergencies, but not ones that are due to lack of reasonable maintenance. Insurance companies do expect homeowners to do their due diligence and regularly maintain their homes and properties.

Frozen, Burst Pipes Cause Water Damage in Dallas Fort Worth

Numerous households and businesses in the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex deal with water damage caused by frozen, burst pipes in the wintertime. As a pipe freezes and then cracks or breaks, the ensuing water damage can affect not only personal possessions but also the structural integrity of the property, causing the deterioration of walls, floors,ceilings, foundations, basements and crawlspaces. Mold is another concern of water damage, especially if not attended to in a timely fashion. Property owners must plan ahead when extreme cold weather is in the forecast, as water damage costs are measured in time as well as dollars and cents.

How Does Frozen Water Cause Burst Pipes?

Water, which is liquid at room temperature, freezes and turns to ice when temperatures drop below zero. As liquid water becomes solid ice, it expands. In our homes, as winter temperature drops bellow 32 degrees Fahrenheit or 0 degrees Celsius, water in pipes becomes frozen and expands, much like ice has a tendency to do. During extreme cold temperatures, the frozen water in the pipes expands and cracks or breaks the pipe. Basically, the frozen water molecules don’t fit in the pipe space they are in as a result of their expansion. As temperatures rise and ice thaws and starts melting, water leaks out from the cracks in the pipes. Timely repairs are in order when pipes in the water supply system burst and break. These repairs are costly. However, not repairing the pipes and allowing them to leak will eventually cause much greater water damage and will increase the cost of repairs dramatically due to the possibility of mold, structural damage and the potential impact to content water damage.

Are Pipes in Attics, Basements and Crawlspaces More Apt to Freeze?

Any pipe in your Dallas Fort Worth home has a chance of freezing and bursting, but some pipes have a higher likelihood of breaking than others. Pipes in the water supply that are exposed to the cold air outdoors are more likely to freeze and burst, such as the main water pipe carrying water to your home. Exterior wall pipes as well as attic pipes, basement or crawlspace pipes and garage pipes are more liable to freeze and burst. Checking your water supply system regularly, winterizing your home and insulating your pipes are important steps in minimizing the likelihood of water damage from frozen and burst pipes in your home.

What to Do when a Frozen Pipe Bursts?

When you have a frozen, burst pipe in your home, make sure to turn off the main power supply. If you are unable to do so, call a plumber immediately if the damage is minor or a professional Dallas Fort Worth restoration company if the water damage is significant or has caused property or content damage. Expert water damage restoration professionals in the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex are knowledgeable about insurance billing and are able to file a claim with your insurance directly. Most homeowners’ insurance companies cover water damage caused by frozen, burst pipes.

Frozen burst pipe repair in Dallas Fort Worth, Texas