All pipes are at risk during frigid outdoor temperatures, especially those that are against poorly insulated exterior walls. Knowing how you can eliminate the risk of a claim during the winter months can save in more areas than one. Follow these steps for frozen pipe prevention to make sure your home is prepared for the cold:
- Schedule automatic fill up of your oil or propane tank or set reminders to check the tank levels every week.
- Insulate water pipes with products found at a local hardware store, or with old blankets and newspaper.
- Keep the thermostat inside the home at the same temperature both during the day and at night. If you’re going away, keep your home’s temperature no lower than 55° Fahrenheit.
- Keep garage doors closed and disconnect any outdoor water lines, such as hoses.
- Open the cabinets under bathroom and kitchen sinks to allow the warm air in around the plumbing.
- If you have a bathroom that isn’t often used, allowing the faucet to drip pushes water through the pipes which will help prevent them from freezing.
- Invest in insulation in basements, attics, and crawl spaces to help maintain higher temperatures near the plumbing and pipes.
But what if the cold weather has already taken its toll on your plumbing? Identify the problem and know how to respond:
- If only a trickle of water comes out of the faucet when turned on full blast, you are experiencing frozen pipes. Leave the faucet open and locate the frozen pipe and evaluate it for damage.
- If there’s no apparent “burst”, apply heat with a hairdryer or heating pad to the pipe until full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to locate the frozen pipe or cannot thaw it because of damage, call a professional plumber immediately.
Contact Avery today to make sure you’re covered in the instance of a claim.
