Frozen Pipes Can Cause Big Damage

11/11/2020 (Permalink)

The Wilson/Nashville area has begun to cool down and is in the transition from heat and humidity to cooler winter weather. With cool, freezing temperatures brings an increased chance of freezing pipes.

Cold temperatures can cause water pipes to freeze. Freezing inside a pipe creates a lot of pressure which can cause the pipe to burst and likely lead to serious flooding, especially when there is no one around to turn off the water. If you notice your pipes have frozen, you will want to thaw them before they break. Thaw them by first locating the pipe and opening the faucet. Then apply heat near the faucet and work your way down. You can use a hair dryer, hot towels, a portable space heater or heat lamp, or electrical heating tape, but never use an open flame as that could cause your pipes to break.

If that seems a little intimidating, here are some preventative measures you can take to protect your water pipes from freezing during those cold spells.

• open kitchen and bathroom cabinets to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing
• let cold water drip from a faucet, even a small amount of running water will prevent freezing
• if you plan to be out of town, set thermostat to a temperature no lower than 55 degrees F
• for long term solutions, add insulation to attics, basements, and crawlspaces and seal cracks/holes around windows and doors to keep warm air inside

Should you ever experience flooding or damage from a broken water pipe in your home, call SERVPRO of Wilson/Nashville.