AWrapping up a pipe can keep it from freezing

One of the biggest concerns during freezing temperatures is protecting your pipes.

Here's the issue: As water freezes it expands. That expansion can put pressure on whatever is containing it, including metal or plastic pipes. The expansion - particularly the increase in pressure from ice build up - can cause pipes containing the water to burst.

The biggest issue is with pipes that are exposed to the extreme cold, such as water supply lines in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages or kitchen cabinets. Pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation are also subject to freezing - and bursting.

Here's what you need to do to make sure you don't end up with frozen pipes - and a giant mess. Tips are from the Red Cross:

  • Remove, drain, and store hoses used outdoors and make sure you've closed inside valves supplying outdoor hose bibs. Disconnect your hose and keep the outside valve open so that any water remaining in the pipe can expand without causing the pipe to break.
  • You can use a "pipe sleeve" like those sold at home repair stores or even heat tape other specially made products to protect exposed water pipes. Even newspaper can provide some degree of insulation and protection to exposed pipes.
  • Check around the home for other areas where water supply lines are in unheated areas. Look in the basement, crawl space, attic, garage, and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Both hot and cold water pipes in these areas should be insulated.
  • Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
  • Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.
  • When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing.
  • Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much costlier repair job if pipes freeze and burst.

And the most important question...should you leave a faucet dripping?

  • Yes, it's recommended you leave a faucet on with water at a drip to keep pipes from freezing. If you know where the water comes into your house, turn on a faucet at the opposite end to keep the water circulating. You don't have to leave a stream of water running, a drip can help prevent (but not totally eliminate) bursting pipes.

What to do if you suspect a frozen pipe

  • If you turn on your faucets and nothing comes out, you may have a frozen pipe. If that happens, leave the faucets turned on and call a plumber. If you think your pipe has burst, turn off the water the home's main shut-off valve but leave the faucets turned on before calling in your plumber.

How to thaw frozen pipes

  • If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen pipe. Likely places for frozen pipes include against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.
  • Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt ice in the pipe.
  • Seal any leaks that allow cold air into your home where pipes are located. This is an issue around electrical wiring, dryer vents and pipes.
  • Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device.
  • Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you cannot thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.
  • Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze, too.

 

One thing that North Shore Contractor Management shares is information. We work with our local communities to make "Living"  easier and more effective for all homeowners. 

Visit our website at www.NorthShoreContractorManagement.com

 Chances are if your home is more than 10 years old it is in need of some winter weather maintenance to keep it in optimal shape. Here are some simple and easy things you can do to add to the life of your home while saving you money on energy bills in the long run.

Weatherproofing your windows and doors

This is something that couples can do together. Take a caulk gun and start checking every window and door in your house. This is the first place you should check around your windows and for caulk that looks stiff or crumbly. If it is peeling, chipping or otherwise falling apart, it definitely needs to be replaced. Something that North Shore can assist with in Spring but for now replacing weatherproofing caulk is easy and inexpensive and even the most ‘unhandy’ handymen can replace old caulking. 

Use a screwdriver or utility knife to remove the old caulk. Take care to completely remove all of the old caulking, and lay down a new bead of caulking in its place. Choose a brand of exterior caulk with a long lifespan, and use a damp – not wet – sponge to wipe away any excess. It looks new and now that extra blanket stays in the closet and your bills should lower a couple of dollars per month. 

Weatherproofing with weatherstripping

Another simple place to check when beginning to weatherproof your home is to check your weatherstripping. Weatherstripping is the flexible material that surrounds your doors or windows to protect against drafts. Typically the material is made from vinyl, but made be made from foam, cork, plastic or even in some cases metal. New vinyl weatherstripping will last longer and provides a much tighter seal than older materials. For doors and awning or casement style windows, open the door or window and remove the existing damaged weatherstripping and cut the vinyl strips to length, pressing firmly and tightly into place. Voila! You’re done!

Your home supply store will be able to provide recommendations on the appropriate size of weatherstripping for your job – adhesive-backed vinyl is typical for windows and doors while heavy duty stripping (for garages and such) may require nails and tacks. You may luck out if your home is a relatively new home, because then you can purchase pre-made threshold stripping to fit your doors.

Weatherproofing to avoid heat loss

Some homeowners, in lieu of installing storm windows and doors, add plastic sheeting to their windows to help stave off heat loss. This is a very inexpensive, and easy, way to help keep your warm toasty in the winter. This adds another layer of protection to make your homes inside protected. Simply attach the plastic to your home’s window moldings and shrink the plastic using a hairdryer. This ensures a tight seal and a good fit for your windows. If your windows are in the least bit drafty, you’ll be surprised at how big of a difference weatherproofing your windows with plastic will make. 

Another small change that can make a big difference is checking your outlets for drafts. Many homes, especially older ones, don’t have proper insulation around their outlets. Simply remove the outlet plating and check to see if you feel a draft. If you do, one quick way to seal up any drafts is to cut a sheet a foam or buy some foam (not expandable) in a can and cut to the size and shape of your outlet or tape around the outlet and on the outlet faces, once dry cut excess and reinstall the outlet plate. This will help form a tight seal and keep out any drafts blowing through.

Weatherproofing your pipes

North Shore Contractor Management is an insurance claim representative for many clients having issues with Cold Weather Problems.

The North Shore winter weather can be incredibly hard on the plumbing in your home – especially when temperatures reach below freezing. To avoid your water freezing, or worse – your pipes breaking – you should have insulation protecting your hot and cold pipes throughout as much of the home as possible. More the better! The insulation will help your cold pipes from freezing and and bursting, while it helps protect your hot water pipes from thermal loss, making your electrical or gas consumption more efficient. 

First check all pipes against the perimeter of your home. Make sure any water or gas pipes that go from the inside to outside are sealed from the elements. Once those areas are sealed and protected move to the interior.

The easiest way to protect your plumbing against the weather is to install tubular-sleeve insulation. It comes in a variety of sizes and is incredibly easy to install. All you have to do is cut the sleeve to the length of the pipe you wish to protect and wrap it around the pipe! If you need more than one sleeve to cover a long pipe, make sure to duct tape the seam. Easy as 1-2-3! 

Turn off the supply to your outside hoses to make sure they don't freeze or drip causing ice.

Weatherproofing your home is something that can be done in a day! The investment may be short-term, but the rewards will definitely be long-term! You’ll notice a huge increase in your comfort – and your wallet – once we’re in the thick of the cold winter months.

Remember to contact North Shore Contractor Management ahead of the winter months.

To have someone on your side before you call the insurance companies is worth the free introduction

Please check out our other blogs or feel free to contact us regarding spring projects or to discuss other winter concerns.