Water expands when it freezes, causing damage, such as a burst pipe. The best way to prevent these problems is to make sure your pipes don’t freeze over in the first place. Make use of the following methods to help protect your building’s pipes this winter.
1. Let Your Faucets Drip.
Standing water is significantly more likely to freeze over than moving water is. If you don’t use a faucet regularly, make sure to open it up and let just a little bit of water drip. This can make a huge difference in the long run.
2. Fortify Your Building’s Insulation.
Add additional insulation to areas in your building that have exposed piping, such as the basement or maintenance rooms. This can help trap heat inside the building and reduce the likelihood of having to deal with a frozen pipe.
3. Drain Outdoor Hoses After Using Them.
Before you store away any outdoor hoses, make sure to completely empty the water inside. When you’re done with the hose, close the inside hose bib valves. Keep the outdoor valves open until all the water has drained out.
4. Apply Insulation Directly to the Pipes.
If a frozen or burst pipe is a frequent issue for you, you might want to consider applying insulation directly to the exposed piping. You can use products such as heat tape or pipe sleeves. Even a light layer of newspaper can be effective in a pinch.
5. Increase Your Building’s Heat.
You might also want to consider turning up the thermostat to increase the heat in the building. While this will raise your heating bill, it might be a viable solution if you find yourself frequently paying for frozen pipe repairs.
A frozen or burst pipe can cause massive amounts of water damage in your commercial building. Frozen pipes don’t always break near the outside walls. Ice forms within the pipe starting from the outside wall and adds pressure inside the water line. The pipe will break at the weakest point which could be anywhere inside your home. While the above tactics can help reduce your risk, they can’t guarantee your complete protection. Make sure to contact flood remediation experts at NWA Restore It, Inc for additional assistance. If you can see water but don’t know where it’s coming from, call our team. We’ll use our thermal imaging camera to find where the leak is hiding. We work quickly to prevent secondary damages in your home or business. Our team is available 24/7, 365.
