Pipes can freeze any time the temperature drops below the freezing mark for an extended period of time
Cleveland OH (PRWEB) December 04, 2012
Restoration Local, one of the leading providers of water damage repair and restoration in the country, if offering tips to property owners on how to prevent water damage due to frozen pipes. With many areas of the country already experiencing freezing temperatures, and the official start of winter still three weeks away, taking preventative measures against this threat is strongly encouraged.
Pipes can freeze any time the temperature drops below the freezing mark for an extended period of time. Frozen water in pipes means that faucets will be non-functional, and if the frozen water expands, the pipes could crack or burst. Many people make the mistake of assuming that a cracked pipe isn’t that serious, when in fact a small crack can cause the loss of up to 250 gallons of water from the average house over the course of a day. Property owners noticing an unusual spike in their water bills should be advised that a cracked or burst pipe is the likely cause.
Pipes can generally be protected against freezing by keeping them completely drained any time freezing temperatures are expected. The water may also be left slightly running with warm water in order to prevent the water from being able to puddle up and subsequently freeze. Exterior pipes should be wrapped in heating foils or insulation to keep them warm, and any areas that allow cold weather to have access to piping should be sealed up. Exterior piping and hoses should also be drained out.
Property owners should also be familiar with where the water shutoff valve is. In the event of a frozen pipe, the water should be shut off at the source and a water damage restoration professional called in to repair the damage. It is usually easy to tell when a pipe has frozen since any faucet turned on will be nonfunctional.
Based in Cleveland OH, Restoration Local is one of the leading providers of water restoration service in the United States, with contractors in 30 states and more being added every month. They are available 24/7 and all work is guaranteed.