Protect Your Springfield Home from Frozen Pipes

12/14/2016 (Permalink)

Prevent pipes from freezing in your Springfield home this winter.

Avoid Frozen Pipes in Springfield

While the winters in Middle Tennessee may not be as bad as some other areas of the country, they're still nothing to ignore. Cold weather can have a huge impact on your home or business if you're not prepared. One of the most damaging and costly problems with frigid temperatures is the potential for frozen water pipes.

How and Why Pipes Freeze

As most of us know, when water freezes, it expands - anyone who has ever left a water bottle in their freezer overnight can tell you that. We often overlook or forget about the potential of the water in the pipes at our house freezing. However, in cases of extremely cold temperatures, that's exactly what can happen. As the water in your pipes expands as it freezes - and just like the frozen water bottle, it becomes bloated. These pipes will burst if they expand beyond their capacity, and water will begin to leak once it thaws.

Another thing to keep in mind is areas that are exposed to colder temperature are more susceptible to frozen or broken pipes. These areas include crawl spaces, attics, garages, and even the exterior walls of your home. 

How to Prevent Pipes from Freezing

While you cannot control the weather, you can take steps to be prepared and help take the sting out of winter weather. Below are some tips and tricks to help you prevent water pipes from freezing at your property. 

• Allow water to drip from faucets when temperatures dip below freezing. Moving water is less likely to freeze.
• If pipes are under a cabinet, leave the cabinet doors open allowing warm inside air to circulate around the pipes.
• Use insulated covers or wrap towels around any outdoor faucets. Shut off the water to these faucets if you have the ability to do so. 
• Close the exterior vents of your crawl space. This will keep the area and pipes inside it a little bit warmer.
• Inspect the pipes in your crawl space and attic to ensure they are well insulated.

By utilizing these tips and taking the proper precautions now, you could save yourself a lot of money and headaches later. 

For more information about preventing frozen pipes at your home or business, please call SERVPRO of Cheatham, Robertson and Dickson Counties at (615) 672-1905.