Water damage caused by burst pipes is one of the most common claims on homeowners’ insurance.
As if burst pipes alone weren’t bad enough, they can lead to ongoing and potentially expensive issues including structural damage and mold. Even a tiny crack in a water pipe can release up to 250 gallons (950 liters) of water a day. What a headache!
So how do you mitigate the damage burst pipes can cause, or even better, prevent them from bursting in the first place?
First things first– let’s find out if your pipes are already frozen. If you turn on the water faucet and water does not come out (or if you turn it on full strength and only a trickle comes out) your pipes are probably frozen. If you suspect a pipe is frozen, turn off the water at the main line and call a plumber. When temps dip below 20 degrees Fahrenheit (don’t forget to factor in wind chill!), it puts water pipes at risk of freezing.
When it comes to burst pipes, prevention is key. This means removing hoses from outdoor pipes. This will drain the water from the line that could otherwise freeze, expand and burst your pipe. Also, any water lines that run along exterior walls, such as a kitchen sink that is underneath a window, should have water running through it when the temperature drops.
You can trust our plumbers to help you prevent or treat damage from burst pipes. Schedule a home inspection to get a detailed view of your home’s plumbing situation and ask about pipe risks.
Sources used in this article:
https://www.houselogic.com/organize-maintain/diy-repair/freezing-water-pipes/ http://www.wikihow.com/Prevent-Frozen-Water-Pipes
