Winter Storm Warning For Frozen, Burst Pipes

AdvantaClean
Published: January 5th, 2018

AdvantaClean Offers Timely Tips to Prevent Damaging Indoor Flooding

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (PRWEB) JANUARY 05, 2018 - Right now, frigid cold is already sweeping through the country. That means your home is in danger from frozen, burst pipes, leaving an icy, costly mess, just about anywhere in your home! Who wants to deal with THAT in a winter like this?

According to the Institute for Business and Home Safety, in the past decade, insurance companies have paid out $4 BILLION in claims for frozen, burst pipes.

Fortunately, the local experts at AdvantaClean, America’s fastest growing Light Environmental Services™ franchise, are offering tips to protect you and your biggest investment from becoming a victim of “Old Man Winter.”

“Water damage from burst, frozen pipes can be devastating in more ways than just the flooding,” says AdvantaClean CEO and Founder Jeff Dudan. “There can be structural damage, plus an immediate potential for deadly mold. A pipe with a crack no longer than the cuticle on your ring finger can dump hundreds of gallons of water into a home, creating more than one disaster.”

This is a highly visual, informative, and easy to turn story. We will provide an AdvantaClean expert to come to the newsroom, or explore a local home to point out trouble spots.

AdvantaClean’s Tips To Protect Pipes

• Remove hoses from outside faucets - if you leave hoses connected, with water still in them, there’s no place for water from the faucet or water line to drain. The trapped water freezes and expands, creating a crack in the line INSIDE the wall of your home, spewing water everywhere. For the faucets, you can buy an insulated cover, or just wrap a towel, foam, or even newspaper around the faucet, cover in plastic, then tape to hold in place
• Insulate exposed water lines - you can buy insulated sleeves from the hardware store which slip easily around exposed pipes in the garage, attic, basement, or outside. These areas are more susceptible to freezing.
• Seal leaks or cracks around pipes in the bathroom or kitchen - cold air can flood through the tiniest crevices. Insulate or caulk around pipes to keep them from freezing.
• Leave bathroom/kitchen cabinet doors open - this will allow warm room air to circulate around the pipes when icy weather invades. Also, let faucets drip to reduce pressure.
• Keep thermostat at same temperature day and night - the heating bill may be a bit higher, but nothing like paying for water damage.

If Your Pipes Freeze…

• Turn on all faucets to find out which ones are working - a small trickle of water from one faucet, while others are gushing, is a good indicator of a frozen line
• Work from the faucet back, to check for ice blockage - run a hair dryer or heat gun back and forth along the pipe, warming it gradually. Never put a heat source directly on the pipe, especially if it’s PVC. It could rupture the pipe. DO NOT USE ANY OPEN FLAME.
• Add salt to drains - pour a tablespoon down the drain, but DON’T ADD WATER. The sudden temperature change could crack the pipe.
• Check for leaks - if you see any leaks, in any pipes, shut off the main water valve to the house, and close all faucets.

Contacts:

Byron Hornaday
AdvantaClean
+1 (919) 459 - 7147

Sue Yannello
AdvantaClean
919 - 459 - 8162

SOURCE AdvantaClean