It doesn't happen very often here in South Louisiana, but you can be prepared for it when the freezing temperatures come.
An average of a quarter-million families have their homes ruined and their lives disrupted each winter, all because of water pipes that freeze and burst.
Recovering from frozen pipes is not as simple as calling a plumber. An eighth-inch (three millimeter) crack in a pipe can spew up to 250 gallons (946 liters) of water a day. By taking a few simple precautions, you can save yourself the mess, money and aggravation frozen pipes cause.
Get your home "Winter-Ready" by calling us or by using the following "Do-It-Yourself" guidelines:
Before
Insulate pipes in your home's crawl spaces,attics, or any other non-heated areas such as garages or storage rooms. These exposed pipes are most susceptible to freezing. Remember - the more insulation you use, the better protected your pipes will be. You can use specially-designed pipe insulation bought from your local hardware store, but you can also use blankets, old clothing, several sheets of newspaper or any other material that will keep the cold wind off your exposed pipes. Just remember to cover ALL exposed areas and secure them with duct tape or even metal wire to prevent the insulating material from coming off.
Heat tape or thermostatically-controlled heat cables can also be used to wrap pipes. Be sure to use products approved by an independent testing organization, such as Underwriters Laboratories Inc., and only for the use intended (exterior or interior). Closely follow all manufacturers' installation and operation instructions.
Seal leaks that allow cold air inside near where pipes are located. Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents and pipes. Use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out and the heat in. With severe cold, even a tiny opening can let in enough cold air to cause a pipe to freeze.
Disconnect garden hoses and, if practical, use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. Insulate the hose bibbs by using a pair of socks (doubled) which can be slipped onto the hose bibb and secured using tape or wire. This reduces the chance of freezing in the short span of pipe just inside the house.
Check the water lines to and from your water heater. Your water heater gives off enough heat to keep the water in it from freezing, but the piping to and from it needs to be insulated just like any other exposed piping. Leave about 6 inches or so between the water heater itself and the beginning of the insulation on your pipes to be safe. The water heater emits enough heat to keep this small amount of piping from freezing.
During
A trickle of hot and cold water might be all it takes to keep your pipes from freezing. Be sure you have both the hot and the cold lines open. If you have a single-handle faucet turn it to the halfway position in order to allow both lines water movement. Let warm water drip overnight, preferably from a faucet on an outside wall.
Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to uninsulated pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls.
Use small space heaters for any areas that you may feel aren't properly protected. Always use caution when using space heaters and follow manufacturer's operation instructions.
Don't turn your faucets off or remove the pipe insulation until the temperature rises above 32 degrees! You may want to leave the insulation for the remainder of the Winter season so you'll always be ready.
If you must leave
Set the thermostat in your house no lower than 55°F (12°C).
Ask a friend or neighbor to check your house daily to make sure it's warm enough to prevent freezing or
Shut off and drain the water system. Be aware that if you have a fire protection sprinkler system in your house, it will be deactivated when you shut off the water.
If your pipes freeze
Don't take chances. If you turn on your faucets and nothing comes out, leave the faucets turned on and call us at 225-262-2322. If you detect that your water pipes have frozen and burst, turn off the water at the main shut-off valve in the house; leave the water faucets turned on. (Make sure everyone in your family knows where the water shut-off valve is and how to open and close it.)
Never try to thaw a pipe with a torch or other open flame. Water damage is preferable to burning down your house. You may be able to thaw a frozen pipe with the warm air from a hair dryer. Start by warming the pipe as close to the faucet as possible, working toward the coldest section of pipe. Do not use electrical appliances in areas of standing water because you could be electrocuted.