It’s no secret our area of the country has been faced with cold temps! We’ve been receiving an influx of calls from homeowners and builders dealing with frozen pipes. Frozen pipes are inconvenient and can cause significant damage. When the temperature of a water pipe drops below freezing, water in the pipe can expand up to 10% in volume. This creates additional pressure on water pipes and valves, causing pipes to burst.
It’s important to keep pipes from being exposed to cold temperatures. Here are some ways to protect pipes during extreme cold:
- Add insulation to walls that affect water pipes. This can include adding dense packed fiberglass or spray foam insulation to exterior walls.
- Cover exposed pipes in crawl spaces or attics. Applying foam insulation can protect water pipes from cold temperatures, and its water resistant properties make it ideal for use on water pipes.
- Seal gaps around basement rim joists or seal your crawl space. This will help keep cold air away from pipes. This also will help the main floor of your home feel more comfortable.
If your home has frozen water pipes or you want to prevent future damage, contact our office to schedule your free estimate. Our team will review your home and make recommendations for ways you can help reduce the risk of your pipes freezing.