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Preventing Frozen Pipes at Your Home & Business

By November 26, 2021January 11th, 2023No Comments

 For most of the country, winter brings plummeting temperatures. As the leaves begin to fall, the countdown to the first snow begins, and homeowners begin winterizing their houses. Freezing and bursting pipes are a common and expensive frustration to many people. During cold weather, ruptured pipes are one of the most common causes of property damage, and the resulting water damage can easily cost $5,000 or more to repair. Pipes located in unheated interior spaces are especially prone to ice blockage, including garages, attics and basements — in fact, up to 37 percent of all frozen pipe failures occur in basements. Even pipe systems that thread through cabinets or exterior walls can freeze under the right conditions.

But there are steps you can take to prevent ice blockages and freezing pipes as well as protect your water systems. If you have any questions, contact our office at 413.475.7283 or Complete our online quote form today!

  1. Keep garage doors closed, especially if there are water supply lines in the garage.
  2. Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing, especially if your sinks are on an exterior wall. (If you have small children, be sure to remove any harmful cleaners and household chemicals.)
  3. Let the cold-water drip from a faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe—even at a trickle—helps prevent pipes from freezing.
  4. Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature during day and night. Again, during a cold snap is not the time to set back the thermostat at night to save a few bucks on your heating bill.
  5. If you plan to be away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55° F.
  6. For the long term, add insulation to attics, basements, and crawl spaces. Insulation will maintain higher temperatures in those areas. And to prevent drafts, seal cracks and openings around windows, doors, and at sill plates, where the house rests on its foundation.
  7. Outside water spigots- disconnect hoses, drain the water from the spigot and pipes, shut off the interior shut off valve to the outside spigots.

Frozen pipes are inconvenient. Burst pipes can do a lot of damage. Minimize the risk to your plumbing and follow these tips to help prevent freezing in the first place. Encharter Insurance is an independent insurance agent located in Amherst, MA. We can provide coverage from many insurance carriers so you receive the home insurance for your budget and needs! You can reach us at 413.475.7283 or online at encharter.com.

Chat with an Encharter agent about your insurance today:
413.475.7283
Complete our online quote form

Source: https://www.davidleroyplumbing.com/blog/how-to-keep-pipes-from-freezing/ and https://www.consumerreports.org/home-maintenance-repairs/how-to-keep-pipes-from-freezing-a2277945570/