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Monday, January 04, 2010
Winterize Your Home To Prevent Damage From Frozen Pipes
Homeowners in the U.S. report millions of dollars in damage each year from frozen water pipes bursting. Below are some tips to help you prevent similar damage during the winter months.
Why pipe freezing is a problem
Water has a unique property in that it expands as it freezes. This expansion puts tremendous pressure on whatever is containing it, including metal or plastic pipes. No matter the "strength" of a container, expanding water can cause pipes to break.
Pipes that freeze most frequently are those that are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, water sprinkler lines and water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages or kitchen cabinets.
Also, pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation are also subject to freezing. Pipe freezing is a particular problem in warmer climates where pipes often run through uninsulated attics or crawl spaces.
Preventing Frozen Pipes
• Drain water from swimming pool lines, water sprinkler supply lines and outdoor hoses. Don’t cap the outside valve—leaving it open will allow any water in there to expand outward. Leave water in the pool itself to help keep walls from being cracked by expanding ground water.
• Insulate all pipes that run outside or along an exterior wall using pipe sleeves, foam, tape or newspaper. Caulk around pipes where they enter the house. Make sure the pipes in indoor, unheated areas are well insulated, including in attics, basements and garages. Both hot and cold water pipes in these areas should be insulated.
• If you have had a problem with frozen pipes in the past, let a very small trickle of water run from faucets when temperatures dip below freezing (32° Fahrenheit). Running water through the pipe, even at a trickle, helps prevent pipes from freezing because the temperature of the water running through it is above freezing.
• Open cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate to the plumbing. Be sure to remove any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.
Source: American Red Cross. For more information, visit www.redcross.org/disaster/safety.
Media Contact:
Suzanne Brown, CCWA Public Information Officer
Office: 770.960.6972
Cell: 770.652.6560
Email: sbrown@ccwa.us