Tips to Keep Your Pipes Safe in the Winter
Many people enjoy the cold weather of winter, but no one enjoys the driving headaches that can result from falling temperatures. On average, a quarter of a million families see their home severely damaged each winter due to broken or cracked frozen pipes, soaked carpets, crumbling furniture and damaged walls. But you can prevent your pipes from freezing or bursting by taking the following steps.
Before the temperature drops…
Insulate pipes in crawl spaces, attics, and garage in your home. These exposed pipes are most likely be frozen. The more insulation you use, the better your pipes are protected. Wrap the pipes with thermal tape or a temperature-controlled heating cable. Be sure to follow all manufacturer’s installation and operating instructions. Sealing leaks allows cold air to enter, close to where the pipe is located (i.e., in extreme cold, a small opening can let in enough cold air to freeze the pipe. Disconnect garden hoses and, if possible, use indoor valves to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outdoor faucets, drip irrigation systems, sprinklers, and evaporative (swamp) coolers.).
When freezing…
Let cold water drip from your faucet overnight, preferably from a faucet on the outside wall. Open cabinet doors to allow heat to flow to uninsulated pipes under sinks and furniture near exterior walls. If you are far away. Do not use HOT water, while it does make the most sense, hot water actually freezes faster.
Don’t set the thermostat in your home too low. Turn off and drain the water system by closing the main valve and opening each faucet (hot and cold) until the water stops flowing. It is not necessary to leave the lights on. But keep in mind that if you have a fire sprinkler system in your home, it can be disabled when you turn off the water. Finally, if your pipes are frozen…
Open your faucet. If nothing comes out, turn off the water at the main shut-off valve, leave the faucet open and call a plumber. Defrost frozen pipes with warm air from a hair dryer, if possible. Start by warming the pipe as close to the faucet as possible, towards the coldest part of the pipe. Never melt pipes with a torch or other open flame.
If the worst happens and you find a pipe has busted, call Wilco Contractors. We can help mitigate the water damage and assist with filing a claim with your insurance company as well as getting your home back to normal as fast as possible. We are here for you! Check out our website at www.wilcoroofing.com or you can follow us on Facebook! Be safe and stay warm!
