Preventative Tips to Help Your Pipes from Freezing in New Jersey

2/15/2017 (Permalink)

Water damage emergency in Toms River, NJ

Preventative Tips to Help Your Pipes from Freezing in New Jersey

New Jersey winters can be harsh on household plumbing so don’t forget to protect the pipes from the elements. Cold weather can cause plumbing pipes to freeze and possibly burst causing flooding and costly water damage to your home. Taking preventative measures to your home before winter sets in can reduce and eliminate the risk of frozen pipes leading to water damage. Pipes located on outside walls, in un-heated basements, crawl spaces, garages and attics are more prone to the cold temperature and freezing than others.

Because water has a unique property in that it expands as it freezes. This expansion puts tremendous pressure on whatever is containing it, including metal and plastic pipes. No matter the strength of the pipe, expanding water can cause it to burst.

To help avoid frozen pipes and costly repairs to your New Jersey home, follow these preventative tips:

Outside:

• Disconnect all garden hoses from the faucet to prevent an interior pipe from bursting due to increasing pressure.


• Protect outdoor faucets from freezing by shutting off water from the interior valve leading to the outdoor faucet.

 Indoors:

• Locate the main water valve and the water heater valve in case of an emergency.


• Keep the heat at 55 degrees Fahrenheit or above.


• Look for pipes that are near exterior walls and in unheated areas and insulate them.


• Check for any leaks or cracks in the walls that could let cold air in and seal them by weather strips, caulking, or insulating. Also check for leaks around chimneys, dryer vents, wiring and pipes.


• Make sure all windows are closed and seal any gaps.


• During extremely cold periods, let lukewarm water drip from faucets to keep water moving through the pipes.


• Keep kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors open to let warm are circulate in around the plumbing.

Call SERVPRO of Toms River when a frozen pipe burst.

If you are faced with an emergency water damage situation in your New Jersey home or business, call SERVPRO of Toms River at 732-349-9898. When dealing with a water damage emergency, immediate attention to the situation will minimize damage and prevent further loss.