Frozen Pipe Water Damage Due to Swing in Temperatures in Toms River

2/10/2022 (Permalink)

This pipe burst on the second floor causing water to flow into the first floor and basement causing extensive water damage to the home.

The large temperature swings that Ocean County have been experiencing these last few months are causing lots of burst pipes. After a freeze, any sort of warm-up and thaw in temperature, you could get an expansion of the pipes. This usually occurs 24 hours after the thaw that pipes will start to break. 

These burst pipes are bad news for any dwelling because a burst pipe can releases hundreds of gallons of water per hour. Just to give you an idea of how much water a burst pipe can release, here are the average water flow rates based on typical municipal water lines from the Municipal Water District:

• ½-inch pipe: 50 gallons per minute
• ¾-inch pipe: 110 gallons per minute
• 1-inch pipe: 210 gallons per minute
• 2-inch pipe: 850 gallons per minute
• 3-inch pipe: 1,900 gallons per minute
• 4-inch pipe: 3,400 gallons per minute

Regardless of where the pipe burst occurs, the effects can be devastating. The damages are usually worse when there is a burst pipe in the upstairs and the water comes trickling down to the lower floors. First thing you should do in this case is stop the flow of water. To do this, find the shut off valve. Turn it off and this will stop all the further flow of the water into your property. This will help prevent the spread of more water that could cause more damage.

When you leave your home in the colder months, leave the thermostat set no lower than 55-60 degrees. In the event of a power outage or extreme cold, it will not take long for the interior temperature in your home to drop to a dangerous low, allowing the pipes to freeze.

Frozen pipe cleanup should be left to the experienced and qualified water damage experts at SERVPRO of Toms River. We have years of experience and up to date certifications, so you can rest assured knowing your property is in good hands. If you’re experiencing water damage due to frozen and burst pipes in New Jersey, call us today at 732-349-9898.