Freezing Weather Leads To Frozen Pipes

When the weather gets cold, what is the first thing one wants to do? Get warm. It is common to pull out the winter gear, stock up on the firewood, find the chains for the car, and stock-up on the hot cocoa. However, more often than not, homeowners fail to protect one of the key things in their home when the weather turns icy: their pipes.

Water has a special quality in that it expands when frozen. Ever notice how ice cubes in trays seem to be taller than the water originally poured into them? During the cold winter months, the water in pipes can freeze, expand, and cause pipes to burst. A pipe that bursts can equal a flooded basement, kitchen…you name it.

Here are some ways one can prevent water pipes from freezing:

• The number one tool one can possess when it comes to pipes flowing with water is knowing where and how to shut-off the water supply. Find a valve and practice opening and closing it to make sure you know how to do it properly during an emergency.
• If your home has an attached garage, make sure the doors to the garage are closed. A garage can stay 20-degrees warmer than the outside temperature–even it is not heated. Pipes are more likely to stay intact at 52° F than at 32° F.
• During this time of year, if the power goes out and the water does not seem to be running properly, turn off the main water valve that leads into your home. Afterwards, turn on all the faucets in your home until all the water is out. This will ensure there is no pressure in the pipe system so it is much less likely for them to freeze and cause cracking.
• If you go on holiday during the winter, make sure to keep your home heated at 55°F at the very least. Pipes in your home’s walls can freeze, especially in unused rooms, if the temperature drops low enough. It is also advised to have a person you trust check on your home if you will be out for a long period of time.
• Open bathroom and kitchen cabinets where the pipes are located to allow the warm air in your home to circulate around the plumbing. If you are planning to be out of your home for a few days, let water trickle out of your faucets. Freezing will be prevented because the temperature of the water will stay above 32°F.

If the water in the pipes has already frozen, causing them to break, the following suggestions can help prevent further damages and expenses:

• Shut off the main water valve to your home. Turn on the faucet to the pipe you suspect has frozen water in it to help relieve any built-up pressure. The running water can help melt the ice in the pipes.
• If possible and safe, check the pipe for any cracks, breaks, or leaks.
• One could try to warm-up the pipe by blowing hot air from a hair dryer on the spot where the pipe is cracked to try to get the water flowing. One could also try pouring warm water on the affect spot. Keep in mind: hot water can cause the pipe to burst even more and can create further damage.
• Call a restoration specialist as soon as possible.

Restoration specialists are part of a team that is knowledgeable in water damage repair and water damage restoration. They can rid your home of any water that flooded into it using specific methods that will prevent mold damage and make sure structural integrity of your home was not compromised by the overflowing water.

When homes get flooded, many valuable objects can become damaged. Restoration specialists can help restore wet photos and wet documents with specific freeze drying techniques that will ensure your important papers, books, and photos are not warped in the process.

Specialists will ensure that all the areas of your home that were affected by the burst pipe are dry…completely dry. Many homeowners will try to remedy a broken pipe on their own after water caused it to crack to try to save money. However, most homeowners do not know how to completely aerate their home and possessions. They will later find damage caused by mold on their floors, carpets, walls, furniture, drywall, sheetrock, etc. In the end, the do-it-yourself homeowner can end up paying more money to replace the mold-infested items than they would have spent hiring a restoration specialist.

Flooding in your home is never a desirable ordeal to have to deal with during the cold, wintry months. Should the unthinkable occur, remember there are specialists who can help you get your life and home back to normal faster than you ever thought possible.

- Flora Richards-Gustafson, 2009

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