5 Ways To Prevent Pipe Freezes in Freezing Temperatures

Here are 5 ways to prevent pipe freezes, which can protect your home or business from pipe bursts during freezing temperatures —

Whether you live in a single-family home or a high-rise apartment building, following these tips can help you avoid catastrophic freeze and water damages —

Pipe bursts occur when ice forms inside your pipes.

The ice in the pipes increases the pressure inside the pipes from around 40 pounds per square inch to as high as 40,000 psi —

Eventually, the pressure finds a weak point in the plumbing system and boom — the pipe bursts and water is released everywhere.

The water will cause damage to personal belongings, floors, walls, cabinetry, electrical, and everything else.

If the pipe burst occurs on a higher floor — water can run through an entire home or apartment building —

The cost of mitigation and reconstruction can easily run into the tens of thousands of dollars and the process can take months.

The 5 Ways to Prevent Pipe Freezes

Tip #1: Turn on the heat — and keep it up.

Even if you leave the property — keep the heat up. The additional heat bill expense will pale in comparison to the inconvenience of losing everything in your home or business to pipe freezes and water damage.

Tip #2: Open faucets —

This helps relieve the pressure that may build up inside the pipes, thereby reducing the likelihood of a burst!

Tip #3: The pipes that are most exposed to the elements have the greatest risk of pipe freezes.

For instance, if you have a sink or baseboard heating system installed against an exterior wall — pay close attention to these areas because those are the areas where pipe freezes are most likely to occur.

Also, If you have exposed piping in any high risk areas, you can go to your local hardware store to buy some pipe insulation. It can be as cheap as $.50 per foot.

Tip #4: Open any cabinet doors that enclose piping. This will give those pipes access to warmer room air.

Tip #5: Know where your water main cut off is. If a burst occurs, you’ll know where to cut the water off for your home. If you live in an apartment building, make sure you know how to reach your super, maintenance personnel or front desk in the event of a water damage emergency.

These tips should help you avoid catastrophic pipe freezes and water damage.

But if damage does happen, remember to contact Claimly first™

We’ll help you navigate the insurance claims process and help you turn your claim into the coverage you deserve.