Prevent Frozen Pipes!

Extremely cold temperatures create a substantial risk for frozen pipes. When water turns to ice within your pipes, they expand and block the line. This blockage can create pressure and cause pipe failure – no matter if the pipe is made of plastic, copper or steel.

Even the tiniest of cracks can unleash more than 250 gallons of water in a single day. This can cause devastating property damage, and is very expensive to repair.

Here are some tips to help minimize the risk of freezing pipes:

• Disconnect, drain and store all garden hoses.
• Keep your house temperature at 55° Fahrenheit or higher.
• If your washing machine is in the garage (or other unheated area), turn off the machines water supply if the temperature is expected to be below freezing. Don’t forget to disconnect the water supply hoses and drain the water out of them.
• Insulate water supply lines that are in unheated areas, such as the basement, garage, crawl space and attic. If a deep freeze is imminent, turn on both hot and cold faucets and allow a slow trickle of water to flow out overnight; however, be careful not to run the water into a drain line that is exposed to the extreme cold because that line might freeze.
• Open cabinet doors under stinks and in storage areas. This allows heat from the room to circulate around the pipes.
• Apply heat tape or thermostat-controlled heat cables around pipes that are exposed and prone to freezing.

In the event that your pipes do burst:

• Shut off the water at the main valve immediately.
• Cut off electricity to the part of the home where the damage occurred.
• Call us so that we can make sure your home is safe.
• Don’t forget to document all damages and contact your insurance company.

We hope that you never need us, but if you do – we’re happy to help!