Frigid temperatures are just around the corner

12/16/2016 (Permalink)

The cold winter season is usually characterized by snow, ice, and low temperatures. Besides these, the cold weather can also cause many problems in your home such as frozen pipes in the basements and it can also become a home for small animals escaping from the harsh climate. The damaged pipes can also cause structural damage, provide the perfect conditions for mold to grow and cause flooding.

Research shows that a pipe does not break due to the formation of ice inside it or the expansion of ice against its wall. The actual cause of the breakage is the continuous freezing and expansion that takes place inside the pipe after there has been a complete ice blockage which results in pressure increasing between the ice blockage and the closed faucet. In fact, pipes break where there has been barely any ice formation.

The pipes that mostly freeze are swimming pool lines, sprinkler lines, outdoor faucet, water supply line in places like the basement, garages, crawl places and attics. Therefore, homeowners should take certain precautions to prevent this from happening.

To prevent pipes from breaking, you will need to do the following;

• Leave the cabinet doors under sinks open
• Insulate pipes with plastic, newspaper or insulation
• Make your home winter-ready by covering the windows using plastic or installing storm windows, weather stripping and caulking windows and doors, and insulating walls and attics
• Ensure that your thermostat reads the same temperature during the day and night
• Avoid closing the faucets tightly during winter; leave them dripping to prevent freezing

If your pipes freeze after taking all these precautions, do not panic. Seek the assistance of a professional. If you live in Southern Staten Island, call us and let us restore your pipes. We offer reliable restoration and cleaning service to the residents of Southern Staten Island. We are a local company hence you can be sure that we know the area well and will arrive promptly to address the problem before it causes more damage to your home. At SERVPRO, we believe in professionalism and in providing quality services to our customers. Contact us anytime you have apipe breakage emergency at your home or business premises.