Why You Need To Protect Pipes During the Winter

11/24/2020 (Permalink)

Protect your pipes during the winter

During the winter in Hamilton, OH, it is essential to prepare your home for below-freezing temperatures. Taking pipe freeze prevention measures will keep your home from flooding due to a burst pipe.

What Causes a Pipe To Burst?

Sub-zero temperatures cause the water inside pipes to turn to ice. As ice forms, it expands and creates pressure on the surrounding structure. Eventually, this expansion becomes uncontainable and leads to a burst pipe. Frozen pipes which are susceptible to bursting include ones found in uninsulated spaces, including:

• Kitchen and bathroom cabinets
• Garages and basements
• Attics and crawl spaces
• Exterior walls

A flood cleanup company can help dry out carpets or other furnishings if a burst pipe drenches them.

How To Keep Pipes From Freezing
During the cold months, pipe freeze prevention is achievable by insulating all exposed pipes or maintaining adequate heat circulation around them. These measures can ensure that the water inside does not freeze. Maintaining a consistently warm temperature throughout the day and night, and keeping the heat on while you are away from home will help avoid frozen pipes. Turning on the faucet to allow cold water to drip also ensures that the water traveling through exposed pipes does not freeze.

How To Keep Frozen Pipes From Bursting
If water drips out slowly when you turn on the faucet, this could indicate that your pipe is frozen, and, despite your pipe freeze prevention measures, you need to act quickly. If you determine that a burst pipe has not occurred, cover a portion of the exposed pipe with a heated blanket or use a hand-held hair dryer to warm it gradually. Be careful to avoid extreme heat shock, which could increase the risk of a burst pipe. Keeping the faucet turned on will encourage the existing water flow to dissolve the ice.
If you experience flood damage due to frozen pipes in your Hamilton, OH, home, contact a flood restoration company to handle the cleanup.