Prepare for Freezing Temperatures this Season!

11/5/2024 (Permalink)

As we approach the winter season and the freezing temperatures.. Homeowners must be prepared of the impending threat of water damage from frozen pipes.

Approximately two years ago in December of 2022, there was a surge of frozen pipes that occurred all across Maryland.

  Many homeowners were not prepared for the drop in temperature in their home. The pipes   began to burst in homes and buildings all across the state.

When outside temperatures drop below 32 degrees, the pipes to your sinks and showers begin to freeze.

The main reason these pipes freeze in the home is because of the following: not enough insulation on exterior wall, garden hose not disconnected and drained properly, heat turned off to the home.

How do we prevent them from freezing?

1. maintain heat in the home throughout winter months.

-If you are leaving your home for an extended period of time during these freezing months. Please, keep the heat on! Maintaining the heat can prevent large water losses from occurring in your home while away!

2. If you feel as if a room with plumbing doesn't receive enough heat from the HVAC system. open the cabinet doors to the sink to allow the air to warm it. Also you can add a space heater to those areas to maintain temperature.

3. Please disconnect your garden hoses and shut off the hose bib.

4. Make sure all plumbing is well insulated especially along the exterior walls. Lack of insulation can cause pipes to sprinkler heads, showers, and hose bibs to burst.

If the pipes are already frozen now what?

These are the telltale signs that the pipes to your home are frozen.

• condensation on exposed pipes
• water drips from faucet when turned on
• expanded and bulging pipes

 We have passed the preventative stage and have moved onto how do we stop this from bursting?

1.  GO and turn off the water main to your home!

2. open the cabinet doors to your kitchen sink or bathroom sink and use warm wet towels and wrap the pipes with the towels

3. use a space heater and place close to direct heat on the frozen pipes as possible!

4. if you don't have a space heater use a hair dryer and blow heat onto the frozen area.

What if they already burst??

Please call SERVPRO of Perry Hall/White Marsh. We are here to help you through the steps from start to finish.

While you wait for service, we will give you a plumbing referral.

1.Call the plumber and set up service to repair

2. Reach out to your insurance company to see how to start the claim process

3. move any valuable items that are in the affected area that are wet to the side to a dryer location.

4. maintain list of non-salvageable contents. Take many photos throughout the process.

When we arrive onsite, we will assist from start to finish. From initial water loss to reconstruction turnkey repairs.