Why do Frozen Pipes Burst?
With winter fast approaching, now is the time to ensure that your home is prepared for the cold weather to keep you and your family safe and warm. Although many consider external damage from snow storms to be the main risk factor involved with winter, low temperatures also carry the risk of frozen water pipes, which can burst as the ice causes them to expand, thus putting pressure on the pipe itself.
Not only is water damage expensive to repair – it can pose a health and safety risk to your family, while also putting the structural components of your property in jeopardy. In the worst case scenario, you may be forced to permanently vacate your home if it suffers severe water damage. The best way to avoid water damage is to carry out winter home maintenance in advance so that pipes will be less likely to freeze and burst.
How to Prepare Your Home for Fall and Winter
Preventing pipes from freezing and bursting is achievable with a little know how. Before winter sets in, you can prepare your home by:
- Installing pipe insulation or wrapping pipes in electrical heating tape reduce the likelihood of freezing during the cold weather.
- Welding any weaknesses or cracks in the pipes so that they will be better prepared to withstand the possibility of freezing.
- Sealing any other cracks or openings in your home which may lower the temperature of your property and leave pipes more susceptible to freezing.
- Sealing or covering any ventilated crawl spaces to reduce the volume of cold air surrounding your water pipes.
- Ensuring your heating system is in good working condition so that your home can be kept at a sufficient temperature – boiler systems should be professionally cleaned annually, whereas gas systems should be cleaned every three years.
Once you have prepared your home, you can continue to care for your pipes during winter by:
- Keeping your thermostat at a consistent temperature so that your pipes are less likely to freeze.
- Keeping interior doors in your home open so that warm air is able to flow through the house and surround all water pipes.
- Allowing your faucets to drip slightly so that any pressure in the water pipes is relieved, making them less likely to burst.
- Attending to frozen pipes immediately – heat lamps and space heaters can be used to thaw any trouble spots.
- Keeping your heating on even while you’re away – although this may sound costly, it is ultimately cheaper than paying to repair water damage caused by frozen pipes.
At A+ Restoration Services, we pride ourselves on delivering 5 star water damage cleanup and restoration services in the Indianapolis area. Don’t hesitate to give us a call for a consultation, or save our information, so you feel prepared for any future flood or leak.