How to Prevent Frozen Pipes
Frozen pipes aren’t just
an inconvenience. An average of a quarter-million families have their
homes ruined and their lives disrupted each winter… all because
of water pipes that freeze, burst and destroy.
And
if you think recovering from frozen pipes is as simple as calling a plumber,
think again.
An eighth-inch crack in a pipe
can spew up to 250 gallons of water a day, wrecking floors, furniture
and keepsakes. Both plastic (PVC) and copper
pipes may burst.
Imagine
if your pipes were to freeze and break while you were away on vacation.
Your homecoming would be a soggy one and your fix-it plea to a
plumber would have to be accompanied by calls to a contractor, carpet-layer,
painter and furniture store. Damage might
be so severe that you and your family would have to move out of your home
while repairs are made.
By
taking a few simple precautions, you can save yourself the mess, money
and aggravation frozen pipes cause. Here are
a few simple steps to protect your home or apartment.
Before the Cold Hits
INSULATE
Insulate
pipes in your home’s crawl spaces and attic.
These exposed pipes are most susceptible to freezing.
Remember: the more insulation you use, the better protected your
pipes will be.
HEAT TAPE
Heat
tape or thermostatically controlled heat cables can be used to wrap pipes.
Be sure to use products approved by an independent testing organization,
such as Underwriters Laboratories Inc.,
and only for the use intended (exterior or interior).
Closely follow all manufacturer’s installation and operation
instructions.
SEAL
Seal
leaks that allow cold air inside, near where pipes are located.
Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents and pipes.
Use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out and the heat in.
With severe wind chill, a tiny opening can let in enough cold air
to cause a pipe to freeze.
DISCONNECT
Disconnect garden hoses and,
if practical, use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes
leading to outside faucets. This reduces the
chance of freezing in the short span of pipe
just inside the house.
If You’re Away
SET
the thermostat in your house no lower than 55 degrees.
ASK
a friend or neighbor to check your house daily to make sure it’s
warm enough to prevent freezing, or…
SHUT
OFF and drain
the water system. Be aware that if you have
a fire protection sprinkler system in your house,it will be deactivated
when you shut off the water.
If Your Pipes Freeze
DON’T
TAKE CHANCES. If
you turn on your faucets and nothing comes out, leave the faucets turned
on and call a plumber. If you detect that
your water pipes have frozen and burst, turn off the water at the main
shut-off valve in the house; leave the water faucet turned on.
(Make sure everyone in your family knows where the water shut-off
valve is and how to open and close it.)
NEVER
try to thaw a pipe with a torch or other open flame.
Water damage is preferable to burning down you house.
You may be able to thaw a frozen pipe with the warm air from a
hairdryer. Start by warming the pipe as close
to the faucet as possible, working toward the coldest section of pipe.
DO
NOT use electrical
appliances in areas of standing water because you could be electrocuted.
|
