How to Prevent Burst Pipes in the Winter
It’s that time of the year again; the time in which you need to take extra precautions to save yourself and your family from added monetary burdens. Yes, its winter. Don’t we all get lazy in winters? All we need is a cozy blanket and a hot cup of coffee with Netflix or a good book. Well, ideally, we do, but that isn’t practical all the time. We still need to go about our jobs and all that stuff. Likewise, at Paradiso Insurance, our job is to make your life easier
That is why we have written a comprehensive guide on one of the most common problems we see our clients facing in winters – Frozen Pipes. Here’s how you can prevent your pipes from freezing:
Why do pipes freeze in winters?
Due to the cold, the subzero temperatures can cause your pipes to freeze. According to the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, freezing and bursting of pipes is one of the most common cause(s) of property damage.
When the temperature drops, water in your pipes start to freeze; now, according to basic chemistry, water shows an anomalous behavior as it freezes, and instead of contracting, it expands. As it expands, the volume increases, and your pipes are damaged.
Pipe insulation
Even if the temperatures inside your house/office is kept warm in winters, you’ll still need insulation in areas such as the attic or basement. Pipes can be fitted with foam rubber or fibreglass sleeves to help decrease the chances of freezing. This can be an easy solution for pipes that are exposed but can get expensive if walls, floors, or ceilings have to be opened in order to properly insulate the pipe. So, what you can do is add extra insulation to the walls.
Contractors should be kept in mind the need for pipes installations when building homes and offices.
Heating tape
Heating tape is an affordable way of keeping your pipes freeze-free in winters. They work as an insulating blanket and provide heat directly to your pipes. Heating tapes are fitted with electrical sensors that can automatically turn on when it senses that the temperature in your pipe has dropped.
Allowing faucets to run
If you encounter frozen pipes continuously, open the faucet fed by that pipe slightly, so the faucet drips; very minutely. Doing so will relieve the pressure of the system and your pipes won’t freeze.
Constant heating
Whether or not you stay in your house during the winter or leave; you need to keep the thermostat on so that the sudden drop in temperatures doesn’t freeze the pipes. Always try to set to a temperature no lower than 55° F. Also, keep the temperature constant. You won’t save as much on your heating bill as you’ll spend on burst pipes.
In your kitchen and bathrooms, try to open the cabinet doors regularly to let warm air into your plumbing.
The Takeaway
Our policies ensure that you, your family, and your business are safe and insured. Winters can be difficult without a homeowner’s or commercial insurance. And please; pay close attention to our tips as burst pipes can cause you to lose thousands of dollars. Plus, this can also help you save big money on your insurance deductible. For a free, no-obligation quote today give us a call at (860) 684- 5270 or visit our website at www.paradisoinsurance.com.