IT IS STILL NOT TOO LATE TO INSULATE YOUR WATER PIPES. 5 Tips For Preventing Frozen and Bursting
Water Pipes
Water
damage from a frozen water pipe
Do
you know what are the second highest costly claims to homeowners behind
hurricanes? Tornados possibly? Maybe earthquakes? Surprisingly, the answer is
actually freezing pipes.
With
colder than normal temps rolling into our area there are always special
precautions needed to keep your home protected. Both plastic and copper
pipes can burst when they freeze, and recovering from frozen pipes is not as
simple as calling a plumber. A 1/8-inch crack in a pipe can spew up to 250
gallons of water per day, causing flooding, serious structural damage, and the
immediate potential for mold. Not to mention the loss of many personal
belongings such as important paperwork, family photos, clothing, and furniture
just to name a few. In some cases the entire home may need to be gutted to
repair all the damages. Repairs of around $50,000 are common when it comes to
the freezing of household pipes.
Thankfully
this situation is easily avoidable saving you and your family from the
emotional toll that follows a cracked or broken pipe, not to mention thousands
of dollars for repairs to your home. Here are some tips and tricks to help
prevent the cracking and freezing of your pipes during this bitterly cold
winter:
- Letting the water drip always helps. Not because a slow flow of water keeps it from freezing, but because it is the built up pressure that causes pipes to burst. When pipes have water freeze in them, the buildup behind the blockage forces its way through at a high pressure. With slow running water relieving the pressure, no more broken pipes
- Disconnect your outside hoses. If left attached ice can form in the hose causing large amounts of pressure to build up in your water system piping.
- Open your kitchen and bathroom cabinets, even if the house is warm. These areas tend to trap cooler air and can cause pipes to freeze. Make sure any pipes hidden in cabinets are receiving warmer air at least once a day.
- Many hardware stores sell pipe insulators for your home. These are definitely worth the few dollars they cost. Few dollars can save you thousands in repair costs, not to mention many headaches.
- The last one was for people who tend to take vacations in the winter. Make sure to leave your home at no less than 55 degrees. Any lower temps than that and you are at a much greater risk of coming home to a flood.
If
your pipes do burst, never turn on any electrical equipment near the flooded
area. This electrical equipment also means light switches or sockets. Turn off
the main water valve immediately (make sure everyone in the family knows where
the shut off is located, it could save a life).
On
average in America claims around $50,000 can be very common. The good news is
you should be covered. Most standard home owner’s policies cover broken pipe
damages. When putting together a disaster plan, a call to your insurance agent
is a must. Make sure you are covered where you need to be, you don’t want to be
left out to dry when it comes to freezing and bursting pipes.
