It’s freezing out there!! Unfortunately it looks like the chilly air will linger around the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area until at least the end of next week! Although there is a lot that I don’t personally like about the cold air, my least favorite is the possibility of frozen pipes in our home! Below are a few tips to ensure you don’t experience a pipe leak in the winter days ahead:
- Make sure all water pipes exposed to cold air are insulted and keep them dry.
- Make sure you know where the main water shut off valve is located in your home. If you do have a leak it may be a good idea to fill a jug of water before shutting off your water in case it is off for a few hours.
- Make sure you seal / caulk all holes and cracks in your foundation.
- If temperatures dip and you have access panels to pipes make sure you open the access panels so the inside temperatures keep them warm. Last year we experienced a cracked pipe from the cold temperatures and the plumber was kind enough to put a hole for an access panel in our basement after fixing the pipe.
- Always remove your hose from the outdoor water spigot in the winter. The water in the spigot can freeze and this can continue into the pvc piping in your home.
- When on vacation or away from home do not let the inside temperature of your home dip below 55 degrees. If you have a vacant home make sure you winterize the home.
If you do experience a pipe leak:
- Make sure you turn your water off to stop the flow of water. Do this by locating the main water shut off valve to your home. Some homes also have water shut off valves located by their street curb.
- Contact your insurance company and/or a plumber. If you live in a newer home you may also want to contact the builder’s home warranty program. Insurance companies are great and may give great recommendations for contractors / companies to call and contact. If your floors/carpets are wet from a leak you may also need water extraction along with a plumber to fix the pipes.
- AND… just a small plug..Paul Davis Restoration can handle all of your LEAKING /burst pipe clean-up from water extraction to plumbing / drywall replacement etc.
Stay warm out there!