OOPS!... I Forgot!

4/5/2022 (Permalink)

Guess who forgot to disconnect the hose from the outside spigot last fall?!  Guess who didn’t turn the water off to that outside spigot?!...  Hmmm…  What might we expect when we go to use that spigot and/or hose this spring?!!!

Living in the Midwest, we can pretty well be assured that we will have a stretch of several days during our winters that not only DON’T get above freezing, but also dip well below zero – sometimes for days at a time.  What happens to water pipes in exterior walls during these cold snaps?  The water in them can freeze and then cause a break.  If you have had the misfortune of having this happen during the cold of winter, you know that this can be a very traumatic experience.

A water damage at any time of year is an unwelcome intrusion into the comfort of your daily living.  If you have experienced this, then you know how unsettling such a disaster can feel! 

So, let’s get back to that outside water situation…  If you have unfortunately left that hose or spigot unattended since last year’s warmer weather, then prepare yourself – and your home – for the possibility of trouble.  As you prepare to turn the water on for the first time, have another person in the basement to watch for water coming into the house rather than going out.  That way you are prepared to turn the water off at the source and avoid an excessive amount of water inside when you needed it outside.  You will know that you have a problem that needs a plumber’s professional attention.  If all of the water continues to flow outside, count your blessings and your good fortune!

Remember that SERVPRO of Rockford is here to help when disaster strikes.  We will make it “Like it never event happened.”