‘Tis the Season of Frozen Pipes!

For most of the country, winter brings plummeting temperatures…and we are in the thick of it!

One of the more annoying, more frustrating emergencies that come across All Boro’s call list is for FROZEN PIPES that have thawed and burst. Pipes that have frozen and cracked need to be replaced, and if they crack indoors they can result in serious water damage within hours of thawing out. This can cost the homeowner thousands of dollars in clean-up and repair.  And while we’d love the business 😊 , we’d also love to give you some tips to keep your home safe.

Regularly check the following areas of your home as they tend to contain plumbing and tend to be unheated; basements, crawl spaces, attics, garages, exterior walls and kitchen cabinets.

Prior to the season:

• Pipes should be insulated.
• Cracks sealed.
• Apply electrical heating tape to pipes.
• Seal crawl spaces.

If you didn’t get around to doing these things in the fall, there’s still hope!

During the season:

• Open cabinets regularly to let warm air circulate.
• Keep the garage door closed.
• Keep the thermostat at or around the same temperature.
• Open interior doors to the home to keep the temperature consistent throughout.
• Keep the temperature of your home between 55-60 deg when you are away.
• Let the faucets drip slightly.

If you suspect a frozen pipe, consult with a professional. Trying to unfreeze pipes on your own could create an even bigger problem…if one of them has burst thawing them could cause a flood.  The best course of action is to turn the water off and consult with an experienced plumber.  If the burst pipe has already thawed and flooding/water damage results, consult with an experienced remediation company.

Examples of Frozen Pipes