With frigid temperatures on their way, take steps to prevent frozen pipes.

 

One of the most significant problems a homeowner/business owner can face is water damage caused by frozen pipes.

When pipes burst, damage can occur very quickly and continues to get worse until the problem is isolated.  Burst frozen pipes can allow water to flow into the ceilings and walls of a structure and can lead to significant repair costs.  Detecting the location of the break is not always obvious and water damage can spread until the source of the problem is determined.

Both plastic and copper pipes can burst when they freeze.  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 a day, causing flooding, serious structural damage, and the immediate potential for mold.

Take steps now to prevent frozen pipes in your home or business.
Safeco Insurance compiled several suggestions on how to prevent freezing pipes.

• Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
• Disconnect all outdoor hoses and turn off water to exterior faucets and sprinkler systems.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing.
• Keep heat at 55 degrees or higher even when you are out of town.
• During a cold spell, turn ON both hot and cold faucets near outside walls to allow a small trickle of water to run during the night.
• Wrap pipes in foam insulation tubes, especially those close to outside walls, attics or crawl spaces where the chance of freezing is greatest.
• Seal air leaks surrounding or near pipes.
• If you need to be away from home, leave the heat on and drain your water system before you go.
• Identify the locations of shutoff valves so you are prepared to stop the flow of water as soon as possible should a pipe burst.

What to do when pipes freeze.
When you discover you have a leaking or burst pipe, quickly turn off the water at the closest point to the break.  In most cases this will entail turning off the main water supply to your home.  Once you have done this, call a licensed plumber like this pipe leak repair in Seattle, WA to assess and fix the problem. And if you are having problems like septic backup that needs septic pumping services, you might want to contact a plumber for professional Septic System Backup Pumping. You may also visit sites like nanceservices.net or look up plumbing repair in San Jose, CA for professional help. If your home’s sewer pump is not working efficiently as before, then you might want to consider having a new Sewer Pump Installation.

It is always helpful to know what your insurance policy covers regarding burst pipes and any subsequent water damage.  Don’t wait until you have a problem; review your existing insurance coverage to ensure you are adequately covered.

And when those frigid temps hit, follow the suggestions above to prevent freezing pipes and the hassle that goes along with cleaning up the mess.