How To Keep Pipes From Freezing

12/15/2020 (Permalink)

A customer had frozen pipes in Placerville. SERVPRO of El Dorado Hills/Placerville recommends keeping your pipes in check, call us at 916-933-3890

You may think that freezing temperatures are too far in the future to plan. In fact, it is just around the corner for El Dorado County and Placer County. You walk out to the front of your house with a coffee in hand only to see the snow fall and begin to pile in your driveway. This is the perfect time to plan and prepare for freezing temperatures. It is essential to prepare ahead of time to prevent the impact this winter will cause, which includes frozen pipes.

Dropping temperatures can cause catastrophic damage to your home. For example, large amounts of water can come out of a small crack from a pipe and freeze, resulting in structural damage, flooding, and potential mold growth.

SERVPRO of El Dorado Hills/Placerville recommends these tips to help prevent frozen pipes.

Turn up the heat

If you are going away for a few days during the winter, it’s recommended by many insurance companies to keep the heat at a steady 55 degrees. This will keep your home just warm enough to keep the pipes from freezing.

Open your doors 

As the temperature drops, it’s a great idea to keep the cabinet doors open in your home to allow the heat from the rest of your home to warm up the pipes.

Faucet Drip

When pipes freeze it’s the pressure that is formed between the blockage and the faucet that will cause the pipe to rupture. Letting the faucet drip, preferably with warm water, avoids the pressure from building inside.

Insulate, Insulate, Insulate!

Usually, pipes are located where there isn’t much insulation, like attics and basements. You can use fiberglass sleeves or foam to dramatically reduce the chances of your pipes freezing. 

During colder weather, frozen pipes are the most common cause of property damage. We receive calls every winter in elevated cities about frozen pipes in Placerville, winter storm damage in Cameron Park, attic mold in Coloma, winter roof damage in Diamond Springs, and water damage in Shingle Springs. If you encounter any kind of storm damage loss, call SERVPRO of El Dorado Hills/Placerville at 916-933-3890 for immediate response. The longer you wait, the greater the chance of secondary damage. We have the training and knowledge to mitigate the destructive effects that water damage can cause!