Tips to Help Prevent Frozen Pipes
Property owners and tenants deal with countless burst pipes due to freezing each year. Pipes can burst because as water freezes, it expands putting tremendous pressure on both metal and plastic pipes.
The potential damage to homes and buildings is significant. Water escaping from a burst pipe can ruin building materials, belongings, furnishing and can even result in structural damage in some cases. Water and moisture can also allow for the growth of mold which can cause health concerns and dramatically increase the cost to repair the property.
Fortunately, there are steps people can take to help prevent pipes from freezing. They include the following:
• Insulate or heat any pipes that could be susceptible to freezing. Don’t forget pipes that could be out of sight in basements, crawlspaces and attics.
• Remove and drain outdoor hose connections. If there is an indoor valve to these outdoor bibs turn them off, allow the pipes to drain and leave the outside valve open so any remaining water can expand without bursting the pipes.
• Keep garage doors closed if there are water lines located there or in the garage walls.
• Open closets and cabinet doors inside the building to allow warm air to circulate if pipes are located behind them.
• Be sure the HVAC system is operating properly and many experts recommend keeping the heat on at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit if the property will be empty.
• Turning the water off to the property and draining the water lines is an option for vacant properties; however, this could prevent fire suppression systems from being able to operate.
• During extreme cold weather some people choose to allow a trickle of water to flow from a faucet to keep water in motion to help prevent pipes from freezing.
In the event of a burst pipe, be sure to know where the water supply line and shutoff valve for the building is located.
These are just a few tips to help prevent frozen pipes and the damage a burst pipe can cause. To learn more about this or other indoor environmental quality (IEQ), building science, industrial hygiene, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
Clark Seif Clark https://www.csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. https://www.emsl.com
LA Testing https://www.latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental https://www.zimmetry.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine https://www.healthyindoors.com