Prevent Frozen Water Pipes in Your Old Saybrook Commercial Property

6/24/2018 (Permalink)

Prevent Frozen Water Pipes in Your Old Saybrook Commercial Property

Water utilities are responsible for water pipes and service lines that connect to your home at the curb, but not pipes located on your property. The most vulnerable areas include those outside of the home, and water supply lines in unheated areas like basements, attics, and kitchen cabinets. Help protect your pipes from potential damage by following these steps:

• Wrap exposed pipes with insulation; even newspaper will help.
• Ensure water meter vault covers are not cracked. If the meter is installed outside the home, it is housed inside a covered vault. Check to be sure that the vault cover is secure; otherwise, the meter may freeze.
• Eliminate cold air sources near water lines by repairing broken windows, insulating walls, closing off crawl spaces and getting rid of drafts near doors.
• If your home does not have indoor shut-off valves for your outdoor spigots, winterize them by purchasing insulation kits, also referred to as domes or caps.
• Know the location of your main water shut-off valve. If a pipe freezes or bursts, shut the water off immediately. Don’t try to thaw frozen pipes unless water is shut off, as freezing can often cause unseen cracks in pipes or joints. Call a licensed plumber to thaw frozen pipes.
• 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 a trickle – helps prevent pipes from freezing. Customers should implement wise water use practices and collect the running water for later use.
• 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.
• Have a friend, relative or neighbor regularly check your property if you are going to be away from home for more than a few days to ensure that the heat is working and the pipes have not frozen.

In Case if you need help with Water Damage Cleaning and Restoration, Contact SERVPRO of Old Saybrook on 800-734-3213