Preventing Frozen Pipes

12/17/2020 (Permalink)

During the winter, homeowners must take extra precaution against the freezing temperatures. If not, frozen pipes are in your future. Then, due to increased pressure, frozen pipes burst and can deposit hundreds of gallons of water each day into your home. The water damage is often immeasurable. But, you have an opportunity to prepare each year by winterizing your plumbing system.

Preventing Frozen Pipes

Before freezing temperatures hit home, protect your pipes by following these useful tips:

• Outside, drain any remaining water from your swimming pool or sprinkler supply lines by following the manufacturer’s directions. Never put antifreeze in the lines unless directly told to do so by the manufacturer.
• Remove any outdoor hoses from the faucet, and close inside vales supply the hose. Ensure you drain the hose completely before storing it somewhere dry and indoors. Ensure the outside valve is open to allow any water inside the pipe to expand without bursting the pipe itself.
• Add adequate insulation in the attic, basement, and crawlspaces. Insulation helps retain heat more efficiently.
• Check throughout your home for water supply lines in unheated rooms. Be sure to insulate any pipes you locate, especially in the garage or underneath cabinets.

General Tips

Here are a few more general tips for preventing frozen pipes throughout your home:

• Open the kitchen and bathroom cabinets to allow warm inside and circulating around the plumbing. Remove household cleaners or harmful chemicals to prevent children or pets from accessing them.
• At night, when temperatures are at their lowest, allow cold water to drip from any faucet with an exposed pipe. Even a trickle of water will prevent the pipes from freezing over.
• Ensure the thermostat is at the same temperature both at night and during the day.
• If you are leaving for vacation, set your thermostat to a minimum of 55-degrees Fahrenheit.

Thawing Frozen Pipes

There are times when, despite your best efforts, the pipes may freeze over anyway. In that case, here is how to thaw frozen pipes:

• Open the faucet. As you work to thaw any frozen pipes, the water will flow through the frozen portion, to the open faucet, and help melt the ice on the pipe.

• Apply heat to the frozen pipe with an electric heating paid, hair dryer, space heater, or by wrapping towels soaked in hot water. Never use an open flame device, blowtorch, or propane heater, though.

• Check all the faucets in your home. If one has frozen over, then chances are quite high that others have also frozen.

• Call for frozen pipes services immediately. The longer you wait, the more potential damage you risk in your home. Avoid water damage with the right team.

If you have frozen pipes in your home, pick up the phone and call SERVPRO of Oldham/Shelby County. We provide frozen pipe and water damage restoration services when unexpected damage occurs. Give us a call at 502.241.6861