Frozen Pipe Prevention
Protect Your Pipes As Temperatures Dip
It’s that time of year again in Middle Tennessee when wintery weather impacts our lives. However, your local Nashville and Middle Tennessee water damage restoration experts at North Star Services, LLC offer several precautions to protect pipes from freezing, plus steps to take if your pipes do freeze over.
When temperatures dip below freezing, water pipes become vulnerable to freezing water. Water expands when frozen, leading to broken pipes that leave behind significant and costly damage. In fact, burst pipes are one of the most common causes of property damage during frigid weather and can cause thousands in water damage.
Water damage (including damage from freezing) is one of the most common and most costly types of homeowners insurance claims. Every year, about one in 50 homeowners will file a water damage or freezing claim, accounting for almost 24% of all homeowners insurance claims, according to the Insurance Information Institute. The average cost of a water damage or freezing claim is about $10,900.
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Before Pipes Freeze
Here’s what to do before the freeze in order to protect interior and exterior pipes:
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Insulate any and all exposed water lines or pipes in unheated areas
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Exposed irrigation systems should be removed or insulated
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Exposed water lines, like an outside shower, and any other lines that lead to outside faucets should be isolated and drained.
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Close inside valves and drain pipes leading to outside faucets
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Pour a small amount of RV or marine — not standard automotive — antifreeze into drains and toilets that may be subject to freezing.
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To avoid iced-over sidewalks, turn off irrigation systems
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To allow warm air to circulate near interior pipes, open cabinets near faucets
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At bare minimum, allow one faucet — the one farthest from the main water shut off valve — to slowly drip cold water.
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Close doors and windows tightly
Pipes Are Frozen. Now What?
When a faucet has been exposed to cold temperatures and only produces a trickle of water, it could likely be frozen. If water lines do freeze, there are several steps to take to mitigate potential damage.
Your local Nashville and Middle Tennessee water damage experts at North Star Services, LLC recommend several tips on what to do when a pipe freezes:
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Do not apply excessive heat to frozen pipes
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Open cabinets to allow warm air to circulate near frozen pipes
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Use towels soaked in warm water to wrap around frozen pipes
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Use a hair dryer set on a low setting
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If using an electric heater or heat tape, devices at risk of coming into contact with water should be powered through a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter
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If problems persist, contact North Star Services, LLC.
Though it’s tempting to do so, avoid using portable heaters for an extended period of time. Use of portable heaters should be limited and unplugged when not in use. Keep heaters at least three feet away from any flammable materials.
If your pipes do burst, call North Star Services, your IICRC certified professional water restoration firm, immediately for mitigation services. IICRC Certified Firms have the knowledge, experience and equipment to locate water wherever it goes, remove the excess and dry your structure to industry standards. North Star recommends several tips until we reach you:
• Shut off the main water valve, if practical, and call a plumber to fix the leak
• Mop up standing water on flooring surfaces to prevent slip and fall hazards. This also helps prevent mold growth
• Wet clothing usually is salvageable. A 10‐minute wash cycle in detergent and hot water should sanitize washable clothing
• Dry out before you rebuild. Professional water restorers have a variety of instruments to determine when a building is dry. Drying should not stop until wood or drywall moisture content falls below 16 percent. Normal moisture content is around 10 percent in most areas of the country.
If Water Damage Occurs, Tips for Clean‐Up
FREE Inspections by Appointment.
Emergency Services Available 24/7/365
Contact Us: 629-221-0638
No home or business owner can predict when water damage will strike. But, when a leak, burst pipe, flood, or storm does result in extensive water damage, timing is everything.
The sooner you contact North Star Services, LLC, Nashville's local water damage restoration company, the better able we will be to minimize damage, protect your belongings, and save your property.
Trust our team to handle your flood cleanup along with your total water damage restoration throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee. Our crew is ready to assist. 24/7/365 emergency services available.