Beat the freeze this winter

11/5/2021 (Permalink)

Ice covered pipe valve

When temperatures plummet, the risk of your pipes freezing and bursting skyrockets. This happens because water has a unique property where it expands as it freezes. The expansion puts tremendous amount of pressure on whatever is containing it. During the frigid winter months, pipe bursts are the most common cause of property damage. The pipes most at risk are those in unheated interior spaces such as basements, attics, and garages. But even the pipes in your cabinets or exterior walls are still at risk. According to Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, homeowners can see costs surpassing $5,000 in water damage.

Once the weather starts to get colder, you should take measures to keep your pipes warm. Precautionary steps should be taken when the temperature hit around 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Those steps include: closing garage doors, opening cabinets under your sink, setting consistent thermostat temperatures, frequently running faucets, and adding insulation to high risk areas.

Unfortunately, if you turn on your faucet and only a trickle comes out, you may well have a frozen pipe. You can try thawing your pipe by turning on the water. As you heat the frozen pipe and the ice plug begins to melt, you want the water to be able to flow through. You can also try to apply heat to the section of the pipe. This includes using an electric heating pad, hair dryer, or space heater. When attempting to thaw your pipes, be careful because if the pipe already burst, the water will come flowing out and flood your home.

If flood water is not handled in a timely manner, it can jeopardize your safety and cause severe damage to your home’s structure. Call SERVPRO of Elgin/Northwest Kane County and let our trained professionals handle the situation to make it feel “Like it never even happened.” Whether your home has a flood, or you have a general question, we are here to help: (847) 697.8500.

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