Tips to prevent frozen burst pipes

A burst pipe can be a significant concern for homeowners. This unexpected situation often arises suddenly and can result in considerable and expensive damage to your home, impacting both the structure and your personal belongings, as well as your overall peace of mind. If the harsh winter leads to a burst pipe, the R & S family of companies is here to assist you. R & S Plumbing can repair the damaged water line, while R & S Restores provides water damage cleanup and property restoration services.  

Frozen Burst Pipe in Ceiling

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Frozen Burst Pipe

Tips to reduce risk ofr frozen pipes in the winter

Frozen pipes can result in burst pipes, which can be expensive to repair. However, there are effective measures you can take to prevent this from occurring Should your best efforts fall short call  R & S Plumbing or R & S Restores 

What is the significance of preventing pipes from freezing?

When water freezes, it expands, which can create pressure that may lead to pipes cracking or bursting. When the water thaws, it can leak from these cracks if the pipes did not burst during the freezing process. Even a small crack can result in the loss of hundreds of gallons of water each day.  This can turn your home into a swimming pool causing significant water damage, and expensive repairs. Preventing frozen pipes is important for more than just avoiding problems. It helps protect your home, plumbing, and wallet.

Homeowners can take several measures to prevent pipes from freezing

The best defense is preparation A quick  inspection will find areas of concern. We suggest having a local plumber or HVAC  company like R & S Plumbing performs a routine checkups.  To ensure your heating system is functioning properly.

There are several straightforward steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of your pipes freezing. You may not be very skilled in home maintenance, but you should be able to follow these suggestions. 
 

Focus on areas like basements, crawl spaces, garages and exterior walls Foam pipe insulation sleeves are inexpensive and easy to install. You can also use spray insulation foam, insulation tape and heat tape.”

To enhance the protection of your water pipes in the basement and outside, simply wrap these foam covers around them. They are pre-slit for your convenience, allowing you to easily slide them onto the pipes. After that, just remove the film covering the adhesive and secure everything in place. 

Outdoor faucet covers

In spring, we get many calls from homeowners. They find their homes or basements flooded. This often happens because of a broken hose bib or outdoor faucet. Insulated socks are available to help reduce your risk of this issue. Upgrading to frost-free hose bibs is an excellent option, and R & S Plumbing can assist with the installation.

Mopping up water from a burst pipe

Let faucets drip

A small, consistent drip helps maintain water flow and lowers the chance of freezing. If you are worried about wasting water, you can put a container under the faucet. This will collect water for watering plants, washing dishes, and other uses.

 

 

Maintain a consistent temperature

Maintain your thermostat at a consistent temperature, no lower than 55°F, even when you are not at home. This practice helps to ensure that your pipes stay warm enough to allow for proper water flow.

If your heating system works with a smart thermostat, it can help when you are away. You won’t have to worry if you left the heat on. You can manage it through an app for added reassurance. If you do not have one and are interested in upgrading, please contact us.

Keep cabinet doors open

It is important to let heat reach the inside of your cupboards. This is especially true for those under sinks on outside walls. This facilitates the circulation of warm air around the pipes.

If you have kids, grandkids, or pets, you can keep them away from your cabinets. Just leave the doors slightly open with adjustable straps.

Sink dripping to prevent frozen pipes

Enhanced Preventative Strategies

You can purchase pipe heat cables for some of your more vulnerable water lines. It is important to do your research and select options that have positive reviews and are considered safe.  You want to avoid the risk of water damage but not risk a fire.

Additionally, smart water leak detectors, such as Moen’s Flo, can notify you of freezing temperatures. Leaks before they lead to significant problems. While this unit is on the more expensive side.  It features an automatic shutoff that activates if it detects any irregularities.  Potentially saving you a considerable amount of money. It can be monitored through an app and will send notifications if any issues arise. For installation, please contact R & S Plumbing.

 

 

Conclusion: The Importance of Vigilance and Maintenance

Ensuring that your HVAC system is functioning correctly and implementing some preventative measures can help you avoid emergency calls to property restoration companies such as R & S Restores. We hope this information is helpful and assists in keeping your home protected this winter.

Water shut off system