Winter can be one of the most fun times of the year in Greater Minnesota, with one exception. Frozen pipes in your house are extraordinarily not fun. They can lead to water damage, plumbing bills, and major inconveniences for the whole family. Learn how to avoid burst pipes this winter so that your home will stay warm and dry.
If disaster does strike, do you have sufficient coverage? Lake Region Insurance Agency is here for you. Contact us today for a free insurance review and quote. We’ll make sure your policies cover all of your treasures.
Why Do Pipes Freeze and Burst?
Do you remember experimenting with ice in grade school? Many school kids have proudly displayed a container misshapen by the water frozen within it.
Water expands as it freezes, and if that occurs inside your home’s pipes, they could break.
Water in the pipe between the faucet and the ice is under increased pressure as the ice pushes forward. If this force is greater than the integrity of the pipe, the pipe will burst.
Burst pipes can also happen without freezing. Tree roots, corrosion, and clogs all have the potential to cause a plumbing failure that leaves you with a gigantic mess.
What You Can Do To Avoid Burst Pipes
To avoid burst pipes, make sure you are familiar with the plumbing in your home. Inspect your pipes annually, from where they enter your house to where they disappear behind interior walls.
Seal any gaps or cracks around pipes coming into your home. Your pipes will stay warmer, and your heating bill will thank you.
If your plumbing travels through an unheated basement, consider adding an auxiliary heater safe for indoor spaces. You don’t need to create a sauna, but you do need to keep some heat around the pipes. About sixty degrees should be warm enough to keep the water flowing.
If adding heat isn’t a good option for you, you can use heating tape. This flexible silicone tape wraps around your pipes to keep them warm enough to avoid freezing. It’s important to plug it into a GFCI outlet. Don’t use an extension cord for this.
When it is frigid outside, you can help prevent frozen pipes by leaving a couple of faucets dripping. The constant flow of water, even just a slow drip, can help avoid burst pipes.
For plumbing in a cabinet, such as under the sink, leave the cabinet doors open slightly. The heat from the house will circulate better around the pipes to keep them warm.
When winter is setting in, and you’re buttoning up outdoors, make sure to disconnect your outside hoses. For extra precaution, add an insulated spigot cover at each exterior faucet.
How To Identify a Frozen Pipe
If you’ve noticed something off-kilter about your plumbing but aren‘t sure if you have a frozen pipe, start investigating. Here are the telltale signs of a problem:
- You will have little to no water flow when you turn on the faucet.
- A frozen pipe is likely to have frost on the outside of it.
- A strange smell coming from the drain can be an indicator of a problem. Ice can partially block the flow of wastewater out of the house. Gases will build up and create a nasty odor.
- The pipe may be misshapen due to the increased pressure.
If you have a frozen pipe that hasn’t broken yet, you can take careful steps to thaw it:
- Turn your hairdryer to the lowest setting and gently heat the pipe. Leave the faucet open, so any steam has a path to escape.
- Wrap an electric heating pad around the pipe to warm it.
- If the pipe is in a location without access to an outlet, try wrapping it in hot, damp towels or a heated rice pack.
- If you have doubts, hire a professional.
Do not try to thaw the pipe with an open flame or extreme heat. Regardless of the method you choose, do not leave a heat source unattended.
What To Do If You Have a Burst Pipe
A burst pipe will pour water like a wide-open faucet. The first thing to do in this situation is to turn off the home’s main water supply. Every person in the house should be familiar with the main water valve. PRO TIP: Be sure to inspect the valve once a year to make sure it isn’t stuck or damaged.
Once the water is off, open all the faucets and flush the toilets to drain the remaining water.
If you’re handy, you may be able to replace the damaged pipe on your own. If not, contact your favorite plumber.
Make sure to document all the damage for an insurance claim. If possible and safe to do so, get photos or video of the following:
- The broken pipe or pipes
- Standing water
- Damaged furniture and flooring
- Water stains on walls or the ceiling – Use a tape measure to show the size of the affected areas.
- Other belongings that sustained damage, such as electronics
How To Clean Up After Water Damage
Once you have your photos and handle the leak, it’s time to address all of the aftermath. And time is of the essence. Water damage can lead to mold and other issues that are harmful to your health.
In the short term, mop up standing water and dry surfaces with towels. Set up fans and open the windows, if possible, to help dry out personal items. You may also rent an industrial fan to work faster.
For significant leaks that do tremendous damage, you probably will need to hire a professional team of experts. They will have the tools and know-how to restore your home to pre-flood condition. Your insurance agent can help you find a reputable business.
Check with your insurance agent before you discard any destroyed items. They are likely to send a team member to take additional photos and gather information for your claim.
Your agent will walk you through the process to make sure you pay as little as possible out of pocket. Keep them in the loop and reach out with any questions along the way.
Make Sure Your Insurance Has You Covered
Lake Region Insurance Agency can help you take care of your home and all the items in it. Contact us today for a comprehensive policy review to make sure your plans are sufficient. Our agents in Cokato, Willmar, and New London, MN, are ready to help.