Tips for Preventing Burst Pipes
This winter has been particularly cold and difficult for a lot of people. We're seeing temperatures dip lower than in past years and some areas that don't normally get snow and bad weather are experiencing severe weather too. I have helped 5 homeowners with burst pipes this winter and I've never had listings with burst pipes before.
When you’re a homeowner, the threat of low temperatures, snow and ice come with a lot of fear and trepidation, one of the most feared being burst pipes. Not only does a burst pipe result in water pouring into your basement or home, if your house is on the market, the water damage can be devastating when it comes to getting your home sold.
Pipes that are open to the weather—and unprotected—are vulnerable to freezing and bursting because of the wind chill. Luckily, there are some simple steps that homeowners can take to protect pipes from freezing and bursting when those temperatures drop.
One of the simplest solutions for exterior hoses or pipes that are vulnerable to freezing is to allow a small trickle of water to drip out when the temperatures get really cold. Open any faucets in the house for the same effect. Not only will this keep water constantly flowing, it will also keep pipes from freezing. The difference in cost between the small amount of water dripping is nothing compared to the cost associated with repairing broken pipes.
It’s also a good idea to disconnect any outside hoses from the faucets and turn them off and drain them, especially if you’re not going to be using them.
You can even purchase and install foam insulation around your water pipes and tape the joints where two pieces of foam meet to keep your pipes warmer. In addition, you can install electric heating tape or cable around vulnerable, exposed pipes. These items are fairly inexpensive and can be purchased at just about any hardware store.
If you’re planning on being out of town during a particularly cold time of year, have your neighbors check in on your pipes the same way you would have someone check on your pets. The last thing you want is to come home to a flood in your house because a pipe burst and no one was there to see it. If you must, turn off your water before leaving, drain all your lines by leaving your taps on and put some RV antifreeze in your drains so you can ensure no leaks will occur.
When you are renovating a home you'll also want to make sure that your outside walls are well insulated and that pipes on outside walls or under floors are well insulated to help prevent freezing.
Understand that these measures aren’t always 100 percent effective and every homeowner (including every member of the family) should know the location of their water shut-off valve in case a pipe does burst, as closing it will keep the water from gushing in until you can get it fixed.
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