Frozen Pipe Problem in Indiana

Now that I’m over the shock I can relive my literal storm after the calm. I’ve been a renter for many years but just last year I became a proud home owner of a darling home in Indiana. Last week I vacationed in Texas with my daughter and granddaughter and this week I’m overseeing a major cleanup.

Temperatures were hovering in the 40’s when I left on my vacation but dipped down into the low teens while I was gone I later found out. When I opened the door on my return two things immediately struck me. The inside of my home was as cold as outside which I estimated to be around 35 degrees and no power. I used my little key ring flash light to enter the basement but heard water dripping at the same time I saw shimmering on my basement steps.  Panic and confusion rushed through me.  What do I do?

It was 8pm at night, I’m a widow and a new home owner, what do I do and who do I call? I walked next door and rang the bell. A young man I know as Willy my neighbor answered the door. I explained what I just saw and he assured me it would be alright. He quickly surveyed what I told him and he knew from experience it was a broken water pipe or pipes. Willy made a call to the local police who made a call to the fire department because of the electrical fire possibilities.  

Two hours later I was set up in a local motel room and returned at 8am the next morning to my home to meet Charlie from Lighthouse Restoration. Willy knew Charlie from his bowling league and made the call for me. Charlie and I called my insurance broker in town and together they took care of everything for me and I must admit, my home is as cozy as before, no smells, no dampness, appliances in the basement have been replaced and the oil furnace something or other was taken care of too.

My neighbors and the professional service representatives from the police and fire departments, my insurance broker and Charlie from Lighthouse Restoration are on my baking list.  Every now and then they will get a little something from Fran to show my appreciation for their genuine care and concern.

One more thing I should mention. Charlie was able to give me an idea of when my pipe broke and though it was a guesstimate it most likely occurred on the third night of the frigid front that moved through and it was the water pipe to an outside water hose. The amount of water they pumped out was about three days worth of a garden hose running full force into my basement he explained. What a waste of water I thought and what will my next water bill be like?