There are many horror stories regarding pipes freezing. Pipes freezing can lead to bigger problems. Don’t let this be your story…
Going to on vacation?
A family of 5 was on their way to their vacation. Before vacation the family prepped the house for departure - they closed all the bedroom, bathroom and basement doors. Temperatures plummeted to below freezing for a day and two nights. The pipes froze. Two days later the temperature rose to above freezing and the pipes burst. Water poured through the house and the walls to the basement. The water stayed there for more than 48 to 72 hours allowing for mold growth. Don’t let this happen to your home.
How can you keep your pipes from freezing?
Ten Tips for keeping your pipes from freezing during the colder months:
Remember don’t let the temperature in your house get too low. If you have a second home and you do not turn off the water make sure the heat is turned on at a temperature of 55 or higher. Make sure you use the tips above…since you are not at that location all of the time and if the pipes burst/thaw and you will have a water problem. If that water problems sits for more than 48 to 72 hours than your problem becomes more than a water problem. It becomes a mold problem.
What do you do if your pipes freeze? Locate the main cut-off valve and have the water cut-off key handy before attempting to thaw out the frozen pipes. Open the faucet the pipe runs to before actually thawing the frozen pipe to allow water to flow through the pipe and relieve any built up pressure in the pipe. You could also use a hair dryer, heat lamp or a portable space heather to thaw out the frozen pipes to help with any pressure built up in the pipe
Make sure you follow the 10 tips to keep your pipes from freezing. Whether you are home or not you do not want your pipes to burst.