Don't Fall Victim to Frozen Pipes this Winter.
The temperatures in Georgia have finally started to drop below freezing. This time of year ServiceMaster by Bailey sees a lot of frozen pipes burst and cause water damage to homes. When temperatures outside drop below freezing there is a chance that those temperatures could affect water pipes that are not protected from the elements. If the cold air reaches an exposed pipe it could freeze the water inside.
As you can see in the picture below, this is what can happen to your pipes if water freezes inside of them. When water goes from a liquid state to a solid state it expands. A gallon of water, when frozen, will expand to a volume of 9% greater than the original gallon. As the temperatures rise to above freezing that water thaws and gushes out of the hole in the pipe, resulting in water damage to your home.
Now that you know what causes pipes to freeze here are some ways that you can make sure you don’t fall victim to frozen pipes in your home.
Insulate your pipes. Insulate all pipes, especially those in crawlspaces and basements.
Run the Faucets. If power is unavailable or lost let the faucets run on a slow constant drip.
Disconnect your hose. Make sure to disconnect your water hose from the outdoor spigot.
Open the Cabinets. When temperatures drop very low open the cabinets under your kitchen and bathroom sinks. This will allow warmer air to circulate the pipes.
Follow these tips and your home should be protected from the cold temperatures this winter. Should you find yourself in need of water damage cleanup, remember that ServiceMaster by Bailey is available 24/7/365 to give you peace of mind and restore your home back to normal.
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