The winter season will soon be in full swing. For many, this means joyful carols and pumpkin pie. However, for a select few, it also means water damage. Water damage is common during the winter because of melting snow and frozen pipes. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to prevent damage. Continue reading to find out what they are, and learn how a professional water damage repair company can help.
1. Insulate Your Pipes
Frozen pipes are common during the winter months. Pipes usually freeze when temperatures drop to 20 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. When pipes freeze, it causes the water inside to expand. This causes the pipes to break and expel water. If left unattended, water can attract mold in as little as 24 hours.
To prevent your pipes from freezing, go ahead and insulate them. Install foam rubber or fiberglass sleeves around your pipes. You can also wrap heated tape around them. These items will keep your pipes warm enough so they don’t freeze. If you’re using heated tape, be careful. Some tapes have an automatic on/off switch, while others need to be unplugged when not in use.
2. Drip Your Faucet
Dripping your faucet during the winter season can help prevent burst pipes because it allows the water to move continuously. The constant movement of water prevents pressure from building up that could otherwise cause them to burst. If you have both cold and hot water taps, turn both on to let them drip. Even the smallest trickle will have a big effect on your pipes.
3. Keep Your Cabinet Doors Open
Pipes are mostly hidden behind cabinet doors, which are usually drafty. One way to keep your pipes from freezing is to keep the cabinet doors open. By keeping the doors open, you allow the heat from the rest of the house to keep your pipes warm. The warmer they are, the easier it’ll be for water to move through them.
4. Keep Your Home at a Set Temperature
While you’ll probably already be keeping your home pretty warm this winter season, make sure to keep it at a set temperature. Experts agree that you should keep your home at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and night. Even if you’re not home, you should still keep the thermostat set to this so you’re not coming home to a burst pipe.
5. Shut Off Your Water Supply
If you know that the weather is going to dip near 20 degrees Fahrenheit, you can prevent frozen pipes by shutting off any interior pipes that lead outside. This includes sprinklers and garden hoses. While this is an extreme measure, it’s an option homeowners have if they don’t want to risk frozen pipes. Pipes can’t burst if there isn’t any water inside of them.
6. Properly Insulate Your Home
You can combat frozen pipes by making sure your home is properly insulated. This means basements, garages, attics, and crawl spaces. Make sure all your windows and doors are properly sealed to prevent cold air from getting in.
7. Plug in a Space Heater
If you know that pipes freeze in your kitchen every winter, then open the cabinet doors and plug a space heater in to warm the rest of the room up. This will get the warm air flowing faster than if you were to just wait for your central heating system to warm up and circulate.
How to Thaw Frozen Pipes
If your pipes do end up freezing, it’s not always a guarantee that they’ll burst. You’ll know your pipes are frozen if no water comes out when you turn your faucet on. There are several things you can do to thaw your frozen pipes out:
- Turn your faucet on and use a hairdryer, hot towels, or heat lamp on the frozen pipes to unthaw them
- Wrap them in heat tape
- Call an experienced plumber for help
What to Do If Your Pipes Burst
If your pipes burst despite your best efforts, contact a water damage repair company as soon as possible. After you make the call, blot up any excess water that pooled around your kitchen or bathroom sink, or toilet. Next, dry out the area. The longer any surface is exposed to water damage, the more likely it is that mold will develop. This can trigger allergies and cause insomnia and headaches.
Contact PNW Restoration for Water Damage Repair
Water damage from frozen or burst pipes is a headache, which is why you need to contact an experienced water damage restoration company for assistance. They will help mitigate the damage and properly disinfect everything to prevent mold growth. If your home suffers a burst pipe this winter season, contact PNW Restoration for an appointment. Our number is 971-247-3597.
Leave A Comment