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Preventing Frozen Pipes
Tips for protecting your home and your possessions in the winter
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Each year more than 250,000 American homes are damaged by water pipes that freeze and burst. It is
more than just an inconvenience. A burst water pipe
can cause thousands of dollars in damage to your house and furnishings, and ruin important papers and mementos. Here are a few helpful tips to help ensure you are not number 250,001. But, remember, the time to winterize the pipes in your home is before the cold weather sets in. Performing a few simple steps now can
save you time, money and stress later on.
Close It
Be sure to close the interior shut-off valve of any exterior water faucets. Then drain the faucet itself from the outside and then turn it off. Disconnect any hoses and drain out any remaining water. Insulate exterior faucets and pipes with insulating socks or caps to help prevent freezing.
Insulate It
Inspect all pipes in your home’s attic, crawl space and pipes entering and exiting the house. All should be well insulated against the cold with pipe insulation of the proper width size.
Seal It
Seal any air leaks near pipes. Use caulking, foam or fiberglass insulation to keep the cold out and the heat in. Avoid using fiberglass abutting pipes that may sweat, as moisture can reduce the effectiveness of insulation.
Heat It
Heat tape or thermostatically-controlled heat cables can also be used on pipes. But, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
Open It
When away, open up cabinet doors in bathrooms and kitchens. This will allow heat to reach any inaccessible or uninsulated pipes under sinks and appliances and near exterior walls.
Set It
Set the thermostat in your house no lower than 55 degrees. If away on vacation, ask a neighbor to stop in to check on your house to make sure it is warm enough to prevent freezing.
And, if the worst happens… use caution.
- Don’t take any chances. If nothing comes out when you turn on a faucet, leave it turned on and call a plumber. Turn off the water at the main water shut-off valve.
- Don’t try to thaw pipes with a torch or other open flame. Try using a hair dryer on the part nearest the faucet and work your way toward the coldest section of pipe.
- Don’t use electrical appliances in any area of standing water.
Note: These tips are designed to help you assess the safety and maintenance of your home and property, and to offer some precautions. Application of any or all of these suggestions may not prevent damage or protect you, or your property from harm. Your knowledge of the situation, use of your common sense and compliance with local and state codes should direct your course of action. These recommendations may or may not have any relationship to your insurance coverage.
This article was prepared on December 6, 2006, as a service to you, by Direct Response Corporation, certain of whose member insurance companies underwrite the Teachers' Insurance Plan.
For more information about Teachers’
Insurance Plan or for a free rate quote, contact
us today.
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