Our best "Best Home Insurance"tip for our customers is to be proactive in their practice and wise with their "House Insurance Company" choice. Here is the other tip that will help in these coming months and future. No your thermometer is not broken; it's winter again and it's really that cold. As temperatures drop below zero both businesses and homeowners are forced to deal with frozen water pipes. While we meticulously layer ourselves with warm clothes we often forget to check our pipes to ensure that they stay warm as well.
Ice developing in a pipe does not necessarily result in a break where the ice blockage occurs. Often a pipe will burst where little or no ice has formed because continued freezing and expansion inside the pipe causes water pressure to increase downstream, between the ice blockage and a closed faucet at the end.
How to avoid frozen pipes
- Pipes that have frozen in the past or near exterior walls should be red flagged for repeat offense.
- When insulation isn't cutting it, think about pipe wrappings surrounded with electrical coils (heat tape) that provide an outside source of heat.
- Disconnect hoses from outside faucets, due to the faucet cannot drain properly with the hose attached. If not disconnected it will most likely freeze and break.
- Don't be a scrooge! Stand firm against the urge to lower your thermostat to save money while you are gone for the day.
- Open you're Kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors under your sinks so heat from the room can help warm the pipes.
- For pipes that are vulnerable to freezing during harsh cold weather maintain a stream of water trickling out of faucet. As running water does not freeze as easily.
- For those of us that love their lawns and have sprinkler systems, drain all outdoor pipes and turn off the water supply to the system.
- It is very important to know where your main water emergency shut-off valve is located.
Winterizing your Home especially if you're going away for an extended time
- Turn off the water supply at the main shutoff valve by the street.
- Remove garden hoses from outside faucets and open these faucets to drain them.
- Drain the water heater. Turn off the pilot light on gas water heaters and be sure to turn off the electricity to electric water heaters before you drain them.
- Use an air compressor to blow any trapped water from the water pipes. Open all faucets and leave them open. This will help keep condensation from freezing and bursting the water lines.
- Flush all toilets (to empty the tank) and every faucet (to drain water from pipes) in the home, including outdoor faucets.
- Empty all toilet bowls by siphoning or bailing and sponging. Pour a mixture of food grade antifreeze and water into all toilet bowls and traps of all sinks, showers and bathtubs. Don't drain these traps. The water in them keeps sewer gases out of your house.
- If your water supply is from a well, switch off the pump and drain it along with the above-ground pump lines and the tank.
Prepare for the worst hope for the best, but what if a pipe does freeze?
- To keep a frozen pipe from bursting, open the faucet it supplies with water. Then add heat to the area where the pipe is located.
- Stop the water supply to that line.
- If a pipe burst, immediately shut off the water supply to your property.
- Be aware of where your main water emergency shut-off valve is located.
If you have any question or need further assistance to this tip or any queries related to Home Insurance in New Yorkor other areas, SCS Insurance Agency is here to help. Contact us at (516) 466-6007.