Freezing pipes are a major problem during the winter months. It is critical that your pipes are taken care of before the temperature drops below freezing temperatures. A frozen pipe usually spells very bad news when it comes to repair costs. These costs can be out of pocket. This is because in many cases insurance will treat a burst pipe as a flooding issue, which means that they might not cover the damage. Of course, this particular scenario differs depending on your insurance company.
So, the first step is to contact your insurance company and ask about their policy on dealing with frozen pipes. If they don’t cover it, then you need to consider getting additional insurance. Most flooding insurance will cover frozen pipes. The important thing is to make sure that you are covered even if you do take all the other precautions.
Most frozen pipes happen in the garage, basement, and attic areas. These areas are typical of the cold zones. A cold zone simply means that the area is not as insulated as the rest of the house and experiences the classic temperature changes from winter to summer. Pipes exposed in these areas experience the same dramatic temperature changes and will freeze.
The number one way to protect against these drastic temperature changes is to invest in some insulation for pipes. The procedure itself is relatively simple. Wrap the insulation around the pipe and tape it into place. Make certain to insulate the full length and the entire width of the pipes. You should do the same for pipes that are outside. Outside pipes may need more insulation than the ones that are inside.
If you can, beef up all of your insulation in these areas. This is one area where investing some funds into your overall insulation can pay off in savings. If you can’t do the entire room, concentrate on areas where you feel the cold air coming in and plug up those holes.
Turn on your taps when the temperature is about to drop really low. This keeps the water flowing and makes it harder for pipes to freeze. A trickle of water will work well.
If you intend to close up the house for winter, make sure to treat the water system with chemicals specially formulated to withstand the cold temperatures. These chemicals are toxic and should not be ingested at any time. Always flush the pipes according to manufacturer’s instructions before using the water.
Taking care of your pipes before they freeze is essential. It can cost you a lot of time and money to try to replace these pipes in the dead of winter.
