Water pipes and valves are designed to hold pressure in order to direct the flow of water, but when water freezes it can create so much pressure that it causes your pipes to burst. Pipe bursts can cause floods and severe water damage to your home and can be a nightmare project to fix. Here are several tips you can use to prevent pipe bursts and water damage during cold outdoor temperatures.

Be prepared and locate your main water valve. In case of a pipe burst it is important to shut you water off immediately. The best way to deal with water damage is to act as quickly as possible. The more water that comes out of the pipe the more water damage you will be left with.

Make sure outdoor hoses are drained and removed. Next shut off indoor valves for your outdoor hose bibs. Lastly open all your outdoor hose bibs so any remaining water can drip out. Keeping your bibs open will let water drip out and will give it an outlet as it expands due to freezing.

Check window fixtures for cracks and opening, close storm windows and insulate. During the winter the majority of your homes heat is lost through your windows. Therefore you will want to check for and seal cracks and openings around windows. Closing storm windows will also trap more heat inside your home. Lastly you will want to make sure pipes close to windows are properly insulated to protect them to the cold areas around your windows.

Allow a small trickle of water in pipes that are prone to freezing. When water is in motion the molecules move faster which lowers the freezing point of water. The extra cost of water will be significantly less than the cost of having to hire residential cleaning company to clean up water damage.

Open all cabinets around indoor plumbing in areas such as the kitchen and bathrooms. This will expose them to warmer room temperatures.  You should also open any attic or basement doors so that heat isn’t blocked at the door. It is also important to leave your heat turned up during the night when temperatures drop. The majority of pipe bursts take place overnight which means you will not be able to stop the water damage until the morning.

If you have any questions about water damage please give us a call 914-666-7229 or request a quote online.