Emergency Leak Repair

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Repair Leaking and Broken Pipes

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Frozen or leaking pipes? Mainstream Electric, Heating, Cooling & Plumbing has been Spokane’s trusted fix since 2000—offering fast, reliable repairs and peace of mind. Call now for expert service!

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Leaky & Frozen Pipes

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I thaw my kitchen pipes after a freeze?

Dealing with frozen pipes requires caution to avoid damage. Here’s how to safely thaw them and prevent freezing in the future:

Thawing Frozen Pipes Safely:

Identify Frozen Sections: Check for areas where water trickles or doesn’t flow at all. This indicates a likely freeze point.
Open Faucets: Open both hot and cold faucets slightly. This relieves pressure and allows melted water to escape.
Apply Heat: Use a hair dryer, heat lamp, or electric heating pad to apply gentle heat to the frozen section, starting from the faucet end and moving toward the blockage.
Use Hot Towels: Wrap towels soaked in hot water around the pipe as an alternative to direct heating.
Avoid Open Flames: Never use a torch or open flame to thaw pipes, as this poses a significant fire risk.
Professional Help: If unable to thaw the pipe or if it bursts, contact a professional plumber immediately.

Preventing Frozen Kitchen Pipes:

Insulate Pipes: Use pipe insulation on pipes in unheated areas such as basements or garages.
Keep Cabinet Doors Open: Allow warm air to circulate around under-sink pipes by leaving cabinet doors open.
Let Faucets Drip: A slight drip can prevent water from freezing by keeping it moving.
Seal Cracks and Gaps: Block cold air entry by sealing openings near kitchen pipes.
Maintain Warm Temperatures: Keep your home heated consistently, even when you’re not there, to protect pipes.
Insulate Key Areas: Ensure attics and crawl spaces are well insulated to maintain warmer temperatures in areas near pipes.
Outdoor Hoses: Disconnect, drain, and store outdoor hoses. Shut off and drain supply lines to outdoor faucets.
Use Heat Tape: For especially vulnerable pipes, consider installing heat tape or cables with thermostat control, following the manufacturer’s safety guidelines.

Mainstream is here to help with both thawing frozen pipes and implementing measures to prevent freezing. Contact us now for professional assistance to safeguard your home’s plumbing against winter’s chill.

How do I prevent my outdoor spigots from freezing in winter?

In Washington, the winters can be harsh, bringing the risk of frozen outdoor spigots. To protect your spigots during the cold months, consider these preventative measures:

Install Freeze-Proof Faucets: These are designed to prevent water from freezing inside the spigot, reducing the risk of burst pipes.
Insulate Outdoor Faucets: Insulation can keep the cold air away from your spigots.
Disconnect Hoses: Water left in hoses can freeze and expand, causing connected spigots to freeze and break.
Install Frost-Free Hose Bibs: These are specifically designed to prevent freezing by shutting off the water flow within the heated space of your home.
Use Outdoor Faucet Covers: These inexpensive covers provide additional insulation against the cold.
Drain Water Lines: Removing all water from the lines prevents freezing.
Install Heat Tape: Heat tape around pipes can keep them warm enough to prevent freezing.
Close Interior Shut-Off Valves: Shutting off the water supply to outdoor faucets from inside the home can prevent freezing.
Seal Gaps and Cracks: Sealing any openings in your home’s exterior can keep cold air away from pipes and spigots.
Use Faucet Insulation Covers: Similar to outdoor faucet covers, these provide a barrier against the cold.
Keep Garage Doors Closed: If your outdoor spigots are located near or in a garage, keeping the garage doors closed can help maintain a warmer environment around the pipes.

Mainstream is dedicated to helping Spokane residents winterize their homes, ensuring that your outdoor spigots and plumbing are prepared for the winter chill and the summer heat every year. If you’re unsure about how to protect your outdoor plumbing or need professional assistance, Mainstream is here to help with all your plumbing needs.

How can I prevent pipes from freezing in the future?

Preventing pipes from freezing is crucial, especially in colder climates like Spokane. Here are some tips from Mainstream to help you avoid frozen pipes in the future:

Insulate pipes: Use pipe insulation sleeves or heat tape to protect pipes in unheated areas like basements and attics.
Seal gaps: Caulk around windows, doors, and pipe entry points to keep cold air out.
Maintain temperature: Keep your home consistently heated, even when you’re away, to prevent freezing.
Allow faucets to drip: Dripping faucets can relieve pressure in pipes and prevent freezing.
Disconnect hoses: Drain outdoor hoses and shut off outdoor water to prevent freezing.
Heat unheated areas: Add supplemental heating to spaces with exposed pipes, like garages.
Consider backup power: Install a generator to keep essential systems running during power outages.

Following these tips can help you avoid the costly damage of frozen pipes. Contact Mainstream for any plumbing concerns or assistance.

Will homeowners insurance damage from a burst pipe?

Yes, in most cases, homeowner’s insurance policies typically cover damage caused by burst pipes. This includes the cost of repairing or replacing damaged property such as wood flooring, drywall, and furniture. Mainstream Electric, Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing understands the stress and financial burden that burst pipe damage can bring. That’s why it’s essential to have reliable homeowner’s insurance coverage to protect your home from unexpected emergencies. If you’re unsure about the extent of your coverage or need assistance navigating the claims process, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. We’re here to help you through every step of the way and ensure your home is back to its pre-damage condition as quickly as possible.

What should I do if I suspect a burst pipe?

When faced with the unfortunate event of a burst pipe in your home, quick action is crucial to minimize damage and restore normalcy. Here’s what you should do if you suspect a burst pipe, along with some handy tips to mitigate the situation before our Mainstream experts arrive:

Turn off the main water supply: The first step is to halt the flow of water by turning off the main water supply. This prevents further water from entering the system and exacerbating the issue.
Call Mainstream: Reach out to Mainstream as soon as possible to schedule an appointment with our expert plumbers. Prompt action can help minimize damage and expedite repairs.
Clean up excess water: Swiftly clear away any standing water to prevent further damage to your property. Timely cleanup reduces the risk of mold and mildew growth, preserving the integrity of your home.
Drain faucets and flush toilets: Drain faucets to relieve pressure from the pipes and flush toilets multiple times to clear out remaining water. This step helps prevent additional leaks and damage.
Let in warm air: Increase the temperature in your home to facilitate the thawing of frozen pipes. Additionally, use a hair dryer to gently warm the pipes, preventing further breaks due to sudden temperature changes.
Keep doors open for air circulation: Ensure proper air circulation by keeping interior doors open. This helps dry out the affected area faster and aids in the restoration process.
Temporary fixes: In case of emergency, you can use temporary fixes such as repair sleeves or rubber, wood, and clamp combinations to stem the flow of water temporarily. However, these solutions are not long-term fixes, so it’s crucial to contact Mainstream for professional repairs promptly.

At Mainstream, we understand the urgency of addressing plumbing emergencies like burst pipes. Our experienced plumbers are equipped to handle such situations with expertise and efficiency. Don’t hesitate to contact us for reliable plumbing services in the Spokane area. Schedule a maintenance visit today to ensure your home’s plumbing system remains in top condition.

What are signs I might have a burst pipe?

Low Water Pressure

Are you having issues with your water pressure? If you experience slow or no water flow at all, it’s time to call a plumber to check it out. While it does not mean that a pipe has completely burst, it can be a symptom of other pipe issues and even clogging.

Pools of Water on the Lawn

Have you started to notice random pools of water on your lawn? This may be a symptom of a burst pipe that needs repair right away. Standing water or even the beginnings of sinkholes on your property can be a sign of a very serious issue. To prevent any further damage, it’s best to give Mainstream a call right away.

Damp Walls

If the walls in your home are damp or have unexplained watermarks on them, that’s a sign that the pipes behind the wall have burst. Luckily, that means our expert technicians know exactly where the burst is and can go through the repair process even quicker.