Keep Pipes From Freezing During A Cold Maine Winter
Every winter, cold weather comes to Maine, and with it the risk of pipes freezing. When pipes freeze, serious damage can result.
When water freezes, it expands. For example, if you were to put a can of soda in a freezer to cool and forgot, it would explode. When water freezes in a pipe, it expands the same way. If it expands enough, the pipe bursts and water escapes.
Once temperatures dip below 32 degrees, all homes are vulnerable to pipes bursting. Pipes in attics, crawl spaces and outside walls are most susceptible, especially if there are cracks or openings that allow cold, outside air in. Holes in an outside wall where television, cable or telephone lines enter can provide access for cold air to reach pipes.
Homes built on concrete slabs tend to fare better than those that have crawl spaces underneath. Pipes freeze more easily in mobile homes because the plumbing is under the house.
By learning ways to prevent your pipes from freezing, you can help reduce the risk of damage to your home. A little time invested in advanced, may wind up saving you a lot of time down the road.
Here are a few helpful tips that we’d like to pass along to you on preventing your pipes from freezing:
- When checking for freezing pipes or looking to prevent them, search for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents, and pipes.
- Use caulk or insulation to seal any leaks, keeping warm air in and cold air out.
- Insulate the foundation walls and the ends of the floor beams with durable foam insulation.
- Have the home's exterior walls insulated.
- Caulk and seal around doors, windows, house faucets, and outside outlets.
- Drain in-ground sprinklers.
- If you’re going away for an extended period of time, set the heat to at least 55 degrees. Ask a friend or neighbor to check your house daily to make sure it's warm enough to prevent freezing.
If you suspect that pipes are freezing:
- Wrap towels that have been soaked in warm water around the pipes.
- Keep cabinet doors open to circulate warm air.
- Leave the faucet on just enough to let water drip.
- Never try to thaw pipes with blowtorch or fire.
When to call a plumber:
- If you turn on your faucet and no water comes out. Be sure to leave the faucet on when calling.
- If you’ve discovered your pipes have burst. Shut off the main water valve and leave faucet on when calling.
In the event that your pipes do freeze, after they have thawed, check for pinhole leaks or cracked pipes that can cause serious water damage to your home. An eighth-inch crack in a pipe can release up to 250 gallons of water a day. Both plastic (PVC) and copper pipes can burst.
By taking a few simple precautions, you can save yourself the mess, money, and aggravation frozen pipes can cause. And by doing so, you and your home will stay both warm and dry this winter.
For more information about keeping your pipes from freezing, please visit: www.weather.com/activities/homeandgarden/home/hometips/severeweather/pipefreeze_prevent.html.
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