Beware Freezing Pipes!
Winter is coming and that means that it is going to get cold…really cold. Now, whether or not you like the cold, there are always undeniable consequences – shoveling snow, sniffling kids, higher utility costs, the list goes on. We’re here to talk about one of the biggest, and potentially dangerous, factors that winter brings into play…FREEZING PIPES.
WHAT HAPPENS TO PIPES IN THE WINTER?
Water gets trapped in the pipes and they freeze. The answer is very simple, but sometimes we need to take a look at the simple stuff to understand the bigger picture. That water will turn into ice and expand, causing a buildup of pressure. The pressure will put a constant strain on the pipe until, eventually, it bursts – usually at the weakest part of the pipe. Now that is a problem.
WHY IS THIS BAD?
A frozen pipe in and of itself is already bad enough. The water can’t get through to where you want it to go – i.e. the faucet, toilet, shower, etc. Then you have to go through the hassle of thawing out your pipes – usually using some sort of heating pad, space heater, or hot towel. Then, you have to watch out for the flood of water that is about to gush out to make sure that it doesn’t leak anywhere.
That’s the best-case scenario with a frozen pipe. If the pipe does bust, then you are left with no choice but to replace it. This can cost you hundreds to thousands of dollars. Nobody wants to deal with that.
HOW CAN YOU PREVENT THIS?
The Red Cross has come up with some preventive measures that you can take to keep your pipes from freezing once that cold weather hits.
- Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage
- Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumping (be sure to keep harmful cleaners and household chemicals out of the reach of children)
- When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes
- Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night
- If you will be going away, leave the heat on in your home, set no lower than 55° F
These are all great things that you can do, but there’s one more HUGE measure that you can, and should, be taking. INSULATE YOU HOME!
Popular Mechanics has warned its customers about something that we’ve been saying for years. Pipes are most likely to freeze in an uninsulated crawl space. This applies for uninsulated attics too.
WHAT WILL YOU DO?
Don’t be “reactive” be “proactive” and save yourself a lot of time, money, and frustration. If you haven’t already, get your attic/crawl space professionally insulated before it’s too late.
If you’re worried about who to call, don’t drive yourself too crazy. We at Complete Home Solutions offer just what you need. We have great reviews and pictures online! Don’t hesitate to call us today!
1-410-867-1202
