To quote Gomer Pyle – Surprise – Surprise – Surprise!!! We were sailing along, thinking Mother Nature was going to take it easy on us this winter and then WHAM – we got hit with an arctic blast!
- Do yourself a favor – take a peek – once the temperature warms up, take a walk through your home and check for any pipe leaks.
- Eliminate serious problems – frozen pipes can lead quickly to catastrophic events. Replacing damaged plumbing is one thing, but restoration expenses can mount up quickly.
- How does this happen – water freezes and expands when it is left sitting in pipes below a frozen ground. It is the expansion that causes the major damage. Pipes most susceptible to freezing are those exposed to severe cold, such as swimming pool lines, water sprinkler lines and outdoor spigots.
- Inside pipes are not immune to damage – pipes in the basement, crawl spaces, attics and garages can be affected by severely cold weather.
- How to prevent frozen pipes – the key is to keep your pipes warm. For water lines in the garage, keep the door closed as much as possible and/or insulate the pipes. If there are pipes by an outside wall, open cabinet doors to let warm air circulate. Leaving a trickle of water running can also keep water from freezing.
- Thawing frozen pipes – if you can reach the pipe, apply heat to the frozen area using a hair dryer or towels soaked in hot water. Be aware that other portions of the same pipe may also be frozen.
Remember – Pearson’s highly trained professionals are ready to solve your problems and provide peace of mind. Gomer approves!
