Preventing Frozen Pipes: How Do I Winter-Proof My Attica Plumbing?

12/27/2023 (Permalink)

Freezing temperatures are here! Every Attica home and business owner is thinking about winter-proofing their property, and plumbing is one of the most essential things to protect. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself with burst pipes and flooding. All it takes is one cold snap to unleash destruction in your house. It’s one of the most common causes of property damage!

Don’t worry - there are ways to prevent frozen pipes, and we have some great prevention tips for you today. Keep reading to learn more.

What Do I Need To Know About Frozen Pipes?

Below, you will find information about frozen pipes and the damage they can do. 

• When water freezes, it expands in volume and with tremendous force. The pressure inside frozen pipes may go from 40 pounds per square inch (psi) to 40,000; lines cannot hold that much pressure, so they break.
• The burst pipe can occur where the ice forms, but often, it happens where water pressure finds a weak spot, which may be inches or even feet from the frozen area.
• A burst pipe can send a flood of water into your home, affecting your basement and other areas, causing damage to your structure and other serious issues that are costly to repair. It can also result in problems you can't see, like an infestation of mold.
• Pipes that run through the unheated parts of your home, such as the basement or garage, and pipes in exterior walls are the most vulnerable to freezing. When pipes are exposed to the elements, like evaporative cooler supply lines, hose bibs, sprinkler lines, and others, they are also susceptible to freezing.

What Are Some Helpful Tips I Can Use To Prevent Frozen Pipes?

You can use these top tips to help you winter-proof your Attica plumbing:

• Drain your poll and sprinklers before winter arrives. 
• Disconnect garden hoses from outdoor faucets - and remember that even frostproof outdoor faucets can burst if the hose stays connected. Turn off supply lines to hose bibs inside the house and let any remaining water drain from the pipes leading to your outdoor faucets.
• Ensure your evaporative cooler is drained, turn off the water supply, and disconnect it for the season.
• Turn up the heat!
• Use space heaters and fans to blow heat into cold rooms.
• Open cabinet and vanity doors to allow any warm air to reach pipes under your sinks. If you have exposed pipes inside your pantries or closets, leave those doors open, as well. 
• Keep your garage door shut.

SERVPRO of Huron & East Seneca Counties can be onsite at your Attica home immediately to help with any emergency you have experienced. In addition to water damage, we handle fire damage, mold infestations, odor removal and deodorization, and much more. Call us at (419) 443-1790 or contact us via our website for help with winter-related damage.

This franchise is independently owned and operated.