How to prevent property damage from freezing pipes

This winter get ahead of the freezing and below freezing temperatures. Your top priority during winter vacancy is to prevent freezing pipes and possible water damage. Exposed plumbing pipes can quickly freeze when exposed to winter weather.

Get ahead of freezing weather conditions by adequately insulating plumbing pipes for the winter season, using our tips below as a reference. However, let’s see what happens to pipes when they freeze and how you should handle a frozen or burst pipe in your home.

What occurs to Your Plumbing Lines when they Freeze?
Exposed poorly insulated pipes will freeze and expand, causing pressure to build in whatever is containing it. Even the most reliable materials, like metal pipes, can buckle, break and burst at the joints or crack under extreme pressure.

As exposed pipes (like garden hoses, swimming pool parts, and sprinkler systems) or unheated rooms with poor insulation in your home (like a underneath the kitchen or bathroom sinks, basement or garage) can cause water damage to the respective regions when they break.

As a result, you’ll be paying more than just the average $5,000 in repair costs for your burst pipes; you’ll also need to consider the cost to replace drywall or kitchen cabinets, should the water affect other areas of your home. Not to mention, if water enters your home, you’re also at risk of mold.

Tips to Keep Your Plumbing from Freezing

Utilities

Make sure you set up automatic oil/gas delivery to your property so that the tanks are not empty. Also, make sure the utilities are connected.

Turn Up Your Thermostat to 65 Degrees Farenheit.

Setting your thermostat at a consistent temperature can help prevent your pipes from freezing. Consumer Reports recommends at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

Additionally, keep your heat on even if the house is vacant during the winter. Warm pipes prevent the water inside from freezing and bursting while you’re away.

Fill Any Cracks or Holes in Your Home

Make sure you fill holes that could let in cold air where pipes run through the walls or floors of your home. Ask your local hardware store for their recommended spray foam or insulation. Follow this instructions on

The likelihood of your pipes freezing this winter depends on the temperature, the age of your house and how well insulated plumbing is. While you can’t perdict the weather or change the age of your home, you can get ahead of the winter weather by adequately insulating your pipes and following the above tips to keep your pipes from freezing.

Should you have any questions about properly protecting your home during winter weather, please let us know.

Thank you for choosing Pledge Property Management.