New York Home Insurance
Each year, on average, about 250,000 families have their homes ruined each year because of frozen pipes. The damages to the carpet, flooring, furniture, and furnishings can be catastrophic and if you don’t have proper home insurance very expensive. The problem can not just be fixed by calling in a plumber either; water pipes that freeze will crack and sometimes burst. A 3 millimeter crack in a pipe will gush 250 gallons of water in just one day. By the time you get home from work your home may be destroyed and you will be calling not just the plumber but a painter, contractor, carpet-layer and your insurance agent.
Below are a few steps that you can take to prevent you pipes from cracking and breaking.
- Insulate the pipes. Look in your homes attic, garage and crawl spaces for exposed pipes and cover them with insulation. The more insulation that you use the more protected your pipes will be. Insulating the pipes prevents condensation as well it will save you on your energy bill (insulating will raise the water temperature 2-4 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Heat Cables or Heat Tape can be used to wrap your pipes. Heat Cables or Tape is an electric heating element that should be wrapped around the full length of a pipe to raise the temperature of the pipe. Insulation is used to reduce the rate of heat loss, but heat cables can be used to actually replace the heat that has been lost. Most Heat Cables will have a thermostat on them which can used to control a set temperature. Pipes will not freeze as long as they are kept above 0°C, but it is recommended to set the thermostat to between 3 to 5°C to keep the water from crystallizing.
- Caulk around the pipes where they enter the house and at the foundation. Cold air coming in with the pipes may cause them to freeze.
- If you have a separate shut-off valve for outside faucets turn off all outside water flow, then go outside and turn off all outside faucets and drain out the pipes leading to the faucets. Also shut off and drain your outside sprinkler system.
- During extreme cold temperatures, if you can, have one indoor tap slowly dripping cold water. Try to use the tap that is farthest from the front door but do not leave it running if no one is home.
- Set your thermostat in your home to no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit day or night, even if you are away.
Finally, don’t take any chances. If you suspect your pipes may have frozen or burst, turn off the main water supply to your house and call a plumber immediately.
