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Water can freeze when it reaches its freezing point of 32 °F. When that happens, it expands by as much as nine percent of its current volume. This expansion in volume is harmless when it occurs in an ice tray but can be devastating to your pipes.
Once it freezes, water expands with tremendous force, exerting enormous pressure on the pipe wall. This can cause various pipe sections to swell, crack, or burst. This can lead to excessive water damage and thousands of dollars in repair costs.
As the end of the year approaches, prepare your home for freezing temperatures by preventing frozen pipe damage. Consider these frozen pipe prevention tips below:
How to Prevent Frozen Pipe Damage
Keep Your Garden Hose in the Shed
The majority of water damage issues in the winter come from a garden hose that’s still connected to your water supply line. This is due to blockage in the form of ice that impedes water flow and may cause a buildup of pressure in the pipes. This is why it’s crucial to disconnect your water hose during the winter.
After you’ve finished preparing your garden for the winter, it’s time to disconnect your hose, drain the excess water, and store it inside your shed or garage. Then, leave the faucet outside open to drain excess water and allow space for water to expand when it freezes to avoid frozen pipe damage.
Maintain a Consistent Temperature Inside Your Home
Bumping down your thermostat at night in the spring or summer is a great way to stay comfortable while keeping your energy costs low. However, come winter, the best thing to do is maintain a steady temperature when you’re at home to keep your family warm and prevent frozen pipe damage. If you’re planning to go away, make sure it’s set to at least 55 °F.
While this may result in a higher utility bill, the few extra dollars you spend are undoubtedly worth it, considering the thousands of dollars you end up saving by avoiding frozen pipe repairs.
Seal Off Leaks
Holes, cracks, or leaks anywhere in your home can cause a draft that lets in cold air and brings down the inside temperature. This can be disastrous as any piping within your interior or exterior walls can freeze with the sudden drop in temperature.
Perform a comprehensive inspection of your home or seek assistance from a professional. Look for any openings where cold air leaks can occur and seal any leak you spot to ensure your home is well-insulated during the winter.
Insulate Pipes in Unheated Areas
Insulating your pipes is one of the most effective ways to prevent frozen pipe damage. You can buy insulating material at any home improvement store at a reasonable price. Prioritize pipes in areas with no heating, such as the basement, attic, garage, and crawl spaces.
Leave Doors and Cabinets Open
To prevent frozen pipe problems in your home, warm air must be able to circulate evenly all around. This eliminates potential cold spots in storage areas, bathroom, and kitchen cabinets, and other unheated rooms. Ensure even circulation around your home by leaving all interior doors, cabinets, and storage spaces open.
Let Your Faucets Drip
Allowing water to flow even slightly goes a long way toward preventing frozen pipe damage. Creating movement inside your pipes can prevent ice from forming. If it does freeze, opening your faucet can relieve some of the pressure and also provide space to allow water to expand, preventing your pipes from bursting.
Solve Your Winter Water Damage Woes With Restoration 1
Prevention is always better than a thousand cures. In this case, preventing your pipes from freezing is significantly better than dealing with burst pipes and water damage.
Unfortunately, emergencies can happen at any time, any day, and any season. When faced with a burst or frozen pipes, a flooded basement, or a mold problem, Restoration 1 of Metro Detroit is ready to assist you at any moment’s notice. We act swiftly to prevent water damage on your property and restore your property to its original condition. Call Restoration 1 of Metro Detroit today!
