The ABCs of Frozen Pipes

‘Tis the season…for cold temps, frozen pipes and potential disaster. Yep, it’s winter.

But before you go running amok, let us help. We know that trying to prevent (and deal with the potential aftermath of) frozen pipes can be intimidating. But we break it down for you.

Behold, the ABCs of handling freezing temps and frozen pipes…

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A: ALWAYS PREPARE.

According to Patch, as temperatures drop and winds pick up, “it is crucial to protect your home’s water pipes against freezing. Untreated pipes in your basement and crawlspaces can be an expensive and nightmarish scenario for any homeowner.”

And the three causes of frozen pipes include:

1. Quick drops in temperature

2. Poor insulation

3. Thermostats set too low

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So, how can we prepare? Some top tips:

• Check the insulation of pipes in your home’s crawl spaces and attic. Exposed pipes are most susceptible to freezing.
• A trickle of hot and cold water might be all it takes to keep your pipes from freezing. Let warm water drip overnight, preferably from a faucet on an outside wall.
• Keep your thermostat set at the same temperature during both day and night.
• Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to un-insulated pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls.

B: BE CAUTIOUS.

Ok, let’s say you’ve done all you can – and yet, the pipes have frozen. Here’s what to do to deal with a potential disaster, courtesy of the American Red Cross.

• If you turn on your faucets and nothing comes out, leave the faucets turned on and call a plumber.
• If your house or basement is flooding, turn off the water valve and immediately call 911.
• Do not touch or use electrical appliances in areas of standing water due to electrocution concerns.
• Never try to thaw a pipe with a torch or other open flame because it could cause a fire hazard.

C: COLLECT RAINWATER.

If your pipes are frozen and your water supply is unavailable, how can you go on? Glad you asked…

When water supply becomes limited, practical solutions can fill the gap. Rainwater harvesting systems provide distributed stormwater runoff containment while simultaneously storing water which can be used for irrigation, flushing toilets, washing clothes, washing cars, pressure washing, or it can be purified for use as everyday drinking water.

You can really take this as far as you want. But it all comes down to various filtration and processing systems.

And from simple systems (like a personal rain barrel) to complex solutions (like commercial-grade rain harvesting systems), we can get you on the road to water independence.

Visit us at www.rainharvest.com to learn more.