How to Prevent—or Handle—Frozen Water Pipes for Your Omaha Home

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Winter might be harsh outdoors, but when frozen water pipes burst, the real emergency conditions are, ever so suddenly, indoors. Whether you’re thinking ahead to protect yourself from this bad scenario—or you’re thinking on your toes in an actual pipe-burst situation—you can use the following helpful tips from Omaha home restoration experts to ensure that you act smart. Choose your scenario below.

Prevention Tips:

1. Insulate your water pipes.

Contrary to popular belief, it’s not expanding ice from within a pipe that makes it burst; it’s the remaining liquid water finding nowhere else to go but out. Wherever your pipes are warm to the touch, insulation is likely needed. Insulating your pipes not only serves as a preventative measure for pipe bursts, but also reduces the cost you pay for hot water. Ask a local hardware store for pipe insulation that you can install yourself—quickly and painlessly. You can also receive federal tax credits in the process.

2. Seal those seams.

To keep cold wind away from your pipes, seal cracks and holes in your walls with caulking. Simply walk along the walls of your house and feel for drafts. And for fainter drafts, light an incense stick. When the smoke is offset, there’s a draft. 

3. Some doors are best left open.

Did you know? Kitchen and bathroom cabinets can keep warm inside air from reaching pipes under sinks or in adjacent outside walls. It’s a good idea to keep cabinet doors open during cold spells to let warm air circulate around the pipes to prevent freezing.

4. Don’t hesitate to use your taps.

As long as water is running and pressure doesn’t build up, there’s a far lower risk of freeze and pipes bursting. Also, it’s okay to let faucets lightly drip where you believe there could be risk of cold pipes. The slight relief in pressure prevents potential buildup within your pipes.

5. Leaving for a trip? Don’t over-lower the heat.

While understandably it saves money to lower your thermostat when you’re away from home, it’s important to not be overzealous and allow your home to cool excessively in your absence. A home kept reasonably warm will ensure pipes share the same cozy condition.

Emergency Tips:

In the event of a frozen or broken pipe, it’s best to call a certified professional and Omaha home restoration expert immediately. In the meantime, locate the main water shut-off valve in your home. Depending on where you live and your house type, your shut-off valve may be in a utility room (or on an outside wall in a utility area of the house), crawl space, basement or at the meter. Twist it completely clockwise to interrupt the flow of water.

While a pipe burst requires immediate assistance, you can also call a professional any time of year for additional precautionary tips on how to prevent this worst-case scenario. And for the best repair and restoration in the instance of water damage and other incidents, contact a certified, award-winning construction contractor serving homes and businesses since 1987.

402.572.7457 | mytotalconstruction.com

Is your roof system in poor health?

Posted by totalconstruction6727 on

We all rely on our roofing system to keep our homes dry and direct rain and snow safely away. All of us wish our roofs can last forever, however we all must realize that all roofs degrade over time. With the often-intense weather we see in Omaha, weaknesses in your Omaha home’s roofing system may begin to show. After a heavy rain storm here are a few items to keep an eye on.

Are your shingles loosing ‘pebbles’?

The granules that adhere to asphalt shingles break down over time, eventually losing their sticking power, and can wash off in rain. Check near the end of your downspouts for little stone looking pieces. These little granules can often be seen in the sediment in your gutters. If you see more than a handful of granules, it may be time to have your roof inspected.

Speaking of gutters…

Just about all homeowners know they need to be better at cleaning their gutters. Your gutters should not be overflowing in a heavy rain. If they are, your gutters need to be inspected. Get up on a ladder and see if you have debris stuck, or if your gutters are pulling off the fascia. There should never be a gap between the edge of your roof and your gutters. Any gaps or overflow have the potential to damage your siding, or cause water to sit too close to your home.

Check your basement for signs of water!

When your gutters are working properly, you should never see signs of water in your basement. If the water is not being move away from your house, you should check to make sure your downspouts are attached properly. Water next to your foundation can cause a ton of problems, including the growth of mold.

Total Construction Services has HAAG certified inspectors in Omaha who are able come out and help diagnose any issues with your roofing. We also are mold remediation specialists, ready to treat and prevent mold problems in your home.

402.572.7457 | mytotalconstruction.com

Why adjusters call on Omaha’s Total Construction

Posted by totalconstruction6727 on

Home damage happens. But when the storm season hits, insurance claims skyrocket. That’s why adjusters—amidst the frenzy of trying to handle case after case with unflinching accuracy and best practice—need a go-to Omaha contractor who’s equally reliable. Here are three reasons why many major insurance companies choose us and entrust us to uphold their great reputations.

1) On-site expertise.

With over 25 years serving our Omaha community, adjusters and homeowners have come to trust the Total Construction name. That’s why adjusters call us first for a ladder assist. When roofing is a touch too unstable, too steep, or otherwise troublesome, insurance companies rely on Total Construction to safely and efficiently evaluate any damage. Not only do we assist with on-site inspections in Omaha, we have an in-house insurance division that works directly with adjusters, often serving as a liaison between adjuster and customer. We’ll ensure the most accurate estimates, prevent any discrepancies between parties and make the process far simpler—and more accurate—for everyone.

2) HAAG Certification

All of Total Construction Services inspectors are HAAG-Certified. This might be jargon to most folks, but your insurance agent looks for this certification and so should you.

HAAG Certification ensures that contractors are a true authority when it comes to storm damage, especially when it comes to damage to your Omaha home’s roofing. Inspectors with certification can quickly and accurately inspect for damage and can evaluate appropriately. More important—these conclusions have true credibility. HAAG Certification is more than just experience. It’s the right kind of experience.

3) Award-winning service.

In addition to multiple awards, distinctions and customer testimonials for our work, Total Construction has also won the Better Business Bureau Integrity Award—twice. Amidst a vast choice of construction contractors and Omaha roofing contractors, we don’t just bring the promise of good work. We bring proof.

Insurance companies can’t afford to waste their time on subpar contractors and roofing companies. At Total Construction, we not only understand that, we’ve worked hard to demonstrate it for two decades.

402.572.7457 | mytotalconstruction.com