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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

How Can Homeowners Streamline Restoration of Frozen Pipes and Ice Damming Water Damage in Wilmington?

12/9/2021 (Permalink)

Frozen pipes with a label reading: SERVPRO is here to help Frozen or burst pipes can be a real problem in your home, call SERVPRO for assistance right away. We are here to help!

SERVPRO offers Wilmington residents a one-stop solution when burst pipes and icy meltwater damage homes during freezing weather

During the winter months in Wilmington, frozen pipes and ice damming cause water damage that affect homes from roofs to foundations. The forces exerted when water freezes inside plumbing lines can burst pipes or force roofing materials to gap and admit melted ice drips; these forces can be powerful and destructive. 

What Exactly Is an Ice Dam?

When you see an icicle, you might admire its drama and sparkle, but SERVPRO technicians focus on the top of the frozen waterfall, tracing to it troublesome interior ceiling leaks, insulation and wall damage, and even attic mold growth. How does the dam build and cause the water damage needing remediation in Wilmington?

  • Poorly sealed and/or insulated attic or upper living areas permit the escape of warm air.
  • Clogged gutters or blocked downspouts pool water that cycles through freezing and melting, accelerated by warm house air exhaustion.
  • Liquid meltwater seeps in through gaps exacerbated by the expansion when frozen.
  • Building materials experience harm, including the need for ceiling repairs from water damage and much more.

How Do Pipes Freeze?

Even if your Wilmington home tucks all plumbing inside the house’s envelope, some spaces can experience sub-freezing temperatures. Frozen pipes split and can contribute to structural damage, including basement flooding. Where are pipes at risk, and what does SERVPRO recommend as prevention?

  • On poorly insulated outside walls (wrap lines in after-market pipe insulation)
  • Inside cabinets without a reliable heat source (open doors and keep the home’s temperature higher 24 hours a day)
  • Outside faucets (drain the tap in the fall and upgrade valves) and place bib covers

Why Is SERVPRO a Good Fit for Water Damage Remediation and Water Damage Repairs?

Not only does SERVPRO offer highly qualified IICRC-certified Water Damage Restoration Technicians (WRT) and Applied Structural Drying (ASD) experts, we also hold general contractor licensed status. Once the water removal and drying are complete, we attend to any tear out, rebuilding, and repairs needed to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Never despair despite the damage brought by frozen pipes and ice dams when SERVPRO of Hockessin / Elsmere is on the job. One call to (302) 992-0104 offers wrap-around restoration and rebuilding services.

Contractor Licenses:

General: 1992104829

Residential: 1992104829

Commercial: 1992104829

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