During the winter when temperatures drop, pipes are more likely to freeze and crack. When it’s the cold that caused your crack, the team at Bigfoot Pumping & Thawing will provide pipe thawing and repair — but it’s still important to know what to do as soon as you see a crack. A cracked pipe can lead to a serious leak, which could cause water damage in your North Pole, AK, home.

When facing a cracked pipe, use the following techniques to keep it from leaking until professionals arrive for pipe thawing and repair:

• Pipe Clamps: Clamps can be purchased at a home improvement store and are often used on official equipment like submarines. Clamps work very well, so you can avoid calling for immediate emergency repair. If you put the clamp on properly, you can simply call your serviceman to come by in the next few days to inspect and repair the pipe.
• Turn Off Supply: If it’s a water line that has the crack, turn off the water supply in that area of the home. If it’s the main water line, however, you may need to turn off the main water supply to the entire home until your plumber can fix it. It’s a good idea to know where your switch off valves are so you’ll know exactly where to go if you have a burst or leaking pipe emergency.
• Repair Sleeves: Repair sleeves are similar to clamps and work well for small cracks. If the crack is in a joint, repair sleeves are better than clamps. While they can contain the leak well, keep in mind that the crack will continue to spread if left alone. 

Whether it’s a cracked pipe or a clogged toilet, the team at Bigfoot Pumping & Thawing will help. No job is too small for this family-owned business. Contact them at (907) 488-9855 to schedule anything from pipe thawing to septic tank maintenance or a camera inspection. You can also visit their website for more information on their services.