How To Avoid Frozen Pipes
The winter season is truly here in earnest and for many New Englanders that means the fun outdoor activities we love such as skiing and snowshoeing. Unfortunately, with the onset of the coldest days of winter in the northeast also comes the increased potential for frozen pipes and the damage that is associated with this type of catastrophe.
According to FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Association, 29% of home insurance claims come from water damage and freezing. More specifically, they cite that a one-inch flood could cause about $25,000 in damages, and the average claim from frozen pipes is $27,000.
Recent insurance industry studies have found the amount of water damage generated by frozen and broken water pipes ranks second, only behind hurricanes, in the number of homes damaged and the amount of insurance claim costs in the U.S. each year. This means an average of over 250,000 homes each year will suffer damage from frozen and burst pipes.
As a certified and licensed home inspection professional for our region, I encourage new homeowners to learn what they can about this phenomenon so that they do not become one of the unlucky statistics of a burst pipe this winter.
Here’s what you will want to know about why pipes may be at risk of freezing and what you can do, as a homeowner, to help prevent this from happening in your home.
Why Pipes Freeze
In order to prevent pipes from freezing (and worse, bursting) it is important to understand why a pipe may do so.
There are three main circumstances that may lead to frozen and burst pipes that every homeowner should be aware of including dropping temperatures, lack of movement of the water, and inadequate insulation.
The most obvious circumstance that people who live in the northern climate zone understand all too well is that lowered temperatures can cause the risk of frozen pipes. Water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. With that said, most pipe freezing and bursting occur when the temps dip even further into the 20s and teens, which is not unusual at all for our region during the winter months.
The lack of water movement in water supply lines can also contribute to the potential for frozen pipes. For instance, if your swimming pool lines, sprinkler system lines, or outdoor spigots are not closed properly every fall there may be a threat of frozen pipes since any leftover water may be sitting stagnant and ripe for freezing.
Finally, a lack of or inadequate insulation can also contribute to the potential of frozen pipes in a home or business. Areas such as the garage, crawl spaces, basements, or exterior walls that do not have enough insulation near pipes could put your system at risk of freezing.
Protecting and Preventing Frozen Pipes
Knowing the three main circumstances that put your pipes at risk can help homeowners take action against water damage occurring.
For instance, to protect against the low temperatures that Mother Nature sends our way every winter, use an automated thermostat that adjusts automatically when temps dip into the danger zone.
Likewise, to counteract the lack of movement in pipes when temperatures dip, many plumbers suggest leaving faucets dripping to keep the movement flowing especially when the coldest days of winter set in or there is a storm approaching.
Based on the ideas of the three main reasons why pipes freeze, here are some simple, yet effective steps all homeowners can take to prevent their pipes from freezing and protect their homes from water damage that could cost them thousands in damages.
Have outdoor sprinkler systems and pool lines professionally drained or blown out every fall before cold temperatures set in.
Remove and shut off all outdoor spigots every fall.
Invest in an automatic thermostat that can regulate the temperature of your home even when you are not home. Keeping your home at a reasonable temp can help prevent pipes from freezing.
Allow your faucets, especially those along exterior walls, to drip water during cold snaps.
Keep the kitchen and bathroom cabinets open to allow the heat from your home to keep pipes underneath a steady temperature.
Consider insulating basements, crawl spaces, and garages that allow cold air to freeze your pipes during the winter months.
Keep garage doors closed during the winter if there are water supply lines in that area.
Many homeowners are unaware that their pipes are at risk of freezing or that they have, in fact, frozen until a pipe burst and water begins to gush into a home. If you suspect that your pipes are at risk during cold snaps try these techniques and contact a plumber should you need help thawing a pipe during the winter months.