Preventing Frozen Pipes in Lexington Winters
Every winter, the day after a hard freeze is our busiest call day. Most of those losses were avoidable. Here is what to do before the cold snap, what to do during it, and what to check the morning the temperature rises.
Before the freeze
Disconnect and drain garden hoses, insulate pipes in unconditioned spaces (garage, crawl, attic), seal foundation vents and air leaks, and know exactly where your main shutoff is and that it actually turns. Replace your shutoff if it is corroded; an inoperable valve during a burst is what turns a $5,000 loss into a $50,000 one.
During the freeze
Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls, let a pencil-thin stream of water trickle from the highest faucet in the house, and keep the thermostat at 60 degrees minimum even if you are away. If you are traveling, ask someone to physically check the home daily.
When pipes do freeze
Open the faucet that pipe feeds, then thaw with a hair dryer or heat lamp, never an open flame. Start at the faucet and work back toward the frozen section. If you cannot find the freeze or you hear water running inside a wall after a thaw, shut off the main and call us immediately.
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