How To Prevent Burst Pipes
Winter in Michigan is never dull. The weather runs the gamut from beautiful soft snowfalls to ice squalls and bitter, below-zero temperatures. People and plumbing have to be tough enough to keep up with it. During an extreme weather event like a polar vortex, pipes bursting can be a real threat. Burst pipes can cause significant damage in a very short period of time. Let’s go over what they can do and how you can be proactive to keep your pipes from freezing.
Frozen Pipes Are a Homeowner’s Nightmare
When a pipe freezes and breaks from the pressure of the water inside, so many things can go wrong. Water can be tremendously damaging. If the broken pipe is in a hard-to-access area or around electrical wiring, it’s even worse. If the water is not turned off right away, it can quickly flood the home and cause damage to the structure and its contents.
Perhaps the most immediate danger is if the water comes in contact with the home’s electrical system or starts a fire. If you have a pipe break in your home, you should not only turn off the water at the entrance to the house, you must shut the electricity off in any of the affected areas and call an electrician (after you call a plumber).
If enough water floods the home, it can weaken the walls, collapse ceilings and floors, and even damage the foundation. If it’s not immediately remediated by a professional, it can also create a breeding ground for mold and bacteria which is difficult to remove after it takes hold in a home.
All of this repair work is very expensive for a homeowner. Replacing belongings is another cost, and in some cases, the owners have to find alternative housing while the home is being repaired.
How To Prevent Burst Pipes
Fortunately, there are actions you can take to protect your home or cabin from this terrible outcome.
First, the homeowner can insulate the pipes by wrapping them with heat tape or foam sleeves to keep them from freezing if the temperature drops. Make sure that any area of the home that has pipes running through it is adequately insulated.
If you are going to be away from your home or cottage for a longer period of time, do not lower the thermostat below 55 degrees. Fifty-five degrees is cool enough to save on energy costs, but warm enough to protect your home from excessively cold temperatures. Turn the water off at the entrance to the house and open the faucets to allow the faucets to drip. Running water is less likely to freeze than standing water. It’s also helpful to ask a friend to stop by and check periodically to make sure the furnace has not failed and everything looks good.
Have your plumber inspect your pipes from time to time for leaks or weaknesses and repair anything that they might find right away. Regular maintenance keeps problems from becoming emergencies.
If you are stuck without electricity and/or heat for any extended period of time, shut the water supply off to your home, and open your faucets. If your home does freeze, do not try to thaw your pipes with an open flame. Call a plumber if you see any evidence of leaks. Otherwise, wait until the home heats up again to turn the water back on. It’s always useful to have the number of a plumbing professional on hand in an emergency.
If you are worried about pipe leaks or need emergency plumbing services, call us at Weinkauf Plumbing & Heating. We are available 24 hours a day for emergencies, and we are ready to help. Winter is tough, but with a little preparedness, you can prevent burst pipes even in the harshest of weather.
