News Flash….Winter has officially arrived. I will admit that I was fooled about a week ago when temperatures were in the mid 50’s. I even had my windows open so fresh air could circulate throughout the office. It was definitely temperature shock for everyone when within 24 hours there was a traumatic temperature swing that brought the thermometer down to low single digits. When there are consecutive days of negative temperatures combined with a stiff wind one thing came to my mind... Freezing Pipes.
Beverage Can Explosion
Have you ever seen what happens to a can of soda when it freezes? As the liquid becomes solid it expands thus putting pressure on the container that holds it. Normally what happens is the gas builds up as the liquid crystallizes, the thin aluminum gives way, and poof it bursts leaving a sticky slushy mess to clean up.
The same thing can happen to your water pipes. Pipes that freeze most frequently are those that are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, water sprinkler lines, and water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements, crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets. Pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation are also subject to freezing.
What Really Happens Inside of a Water Pipe?
When water freezes, its molecules crystallize into an open hexagonal form, which takes up more space than when the molecules are in their liquid form. As the ice expands it pushes water towards the closed faucet. This causes water pressure to build up between the ice blockage and the faucet. The pipe will eventually burst under the pressure at the point where there's little or no ice.
Water is Leaking
If you walk into your home to find water leaking from a compromised pipe and you see puddles in the middle of your carpet you definitely have a problem. Depending on the amount of water damage you may need to call a restoration company to come in and get to work right away. They will use shop vacs to suck up the water along with bringing in high powered fans and dehumidifiers to salvage whatever they can. A common fear amongst homeowners is if I call this company is my insurance company going to pay for it? A situation like this requires fast action to minimize the damage as much as possible. A good home insurance policy will allow you to choose the company and will cover their costs. You also have to consider what was damaged and how will it be replaced.
What to do next
First make sure the thermostat in your house is set at 55 degrees. Even if you are out of town keep your thermostat at 55. Drain you outdoor water lines, consider insulating your indoor lines that might be exposed to cold temperatures, and open your cabinet doors if your kitchen is up against an outside wall. Most importantly pull out a copy of your homeowner’s insurance policy and call the John J Suppa Agency. John or Tiffany will review your policy and make sure all of your bases are covered and that you have the right coverage in place. Call us today at 412-238-8200.