Frozen Pipes and Ice Damming Prevention Tips for Falmouth Residents

12/2/2021 (Permalink)

Ice damming can lead to major water damage on the exterior of your Falmouth home. Call SERVPRO to mitigate the damage and offer advice.

SERVPRO Supports Falmouth for All Types of Winter Water Damage Cleanup and Restoration Services

When the winter season rolls around in Falmouth, water damage from pipe bursts becomes a frequent issue. While this type of home disaster can lead to thousands of dollars in repair and restoration fees, it is largely preventable.

The first task for frozen pipes and ice damming prevention in Falmouth homes starts with learning where the vulnerable places are within the structure. Every property will have unique attributes, but commonly the most likely areas to have this type of damage are found within unheated interior spaces such as:  

• Basements
• Attached garages
• Attics
• Crawlspaces

Safely Thawing Frozen Pipes 

If only a tiny amount of water comes out of a faucet, there may be a frozen pipe. Do not thaw the pipe if it has already burst because the ice is the only thing keeping the water from flowing throughout your home. If a burst pipe is suspected, turn off the water at the main shutoff and bring in a professional. 

If the water is still running and there is no evidence of a break, you can probably safely warm the pipe. Turn on the cold water and let it run through the pipe, the water will melt the ice plug, and the flow will return to normal. An electric heating pad can be wrapped around a pipe, or a hairdryer on low heat can also be used. The idea is to bring up the temperature slowly.

Ice Dam Prevention 

An attic that allows the heat from the home to melt the snow on a roof can be the reason for ice dams forming. When the snowmelt runs towards the edge of the roof, it runs into ice and snow covering the gutters, downspouts, and pools. As it backs up, this water may run into the home, under shingles, and cause damage such as fallen gutters from the weight. Insulation to prevent excess heat loss, clean gutters, and snow removal are keys to avoiding ice dams.

Frozen pipes and ice damming prevention is a priority for SERVPRO of Upper Cape Cod and The Islands. If winter water damage cleanup is needed, the techs are available 24/7 at (508) 888-5985.