Freezing Weather and Your Home

1/2/2018 (Permalink)

A small steady drip can keep your pipes from freezing.

Metro Detroit’s freezing temperatures show no sign of relenting. SERVPRO of Dearborn has some tips to help homeowners and businesses stave off the damaging effects of this historic weather front. Frozen and ruptured pipes can be avoided with a little forethought.

• Turn both hot and cold taps on just enough to keep them slowly dripping.
• Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm room air to circulate around the pipes.
• Disconnect all hoses from outside spigots. If possible, shut off valves to these spigots.
• Keep your home’s temperatures above 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Show everyone in your home how to operate the main water shutoff valve in case of emergency.
• If you rent a home or business space, have contact information for your maintenance department.
• Keep the fireplace flue closed when not in use. Be certain it is open before using the fireplace.
• If you leave your home for even a few days, have neighbor check on your place. Broke pipes cause can cause catastrophic flooding and mold damage in a few hours.
• Check your gutters and downspouts for ice dams.

One final but important tip, be sure to walk around your home checking the gutters and downspouts for ice damns. An ice dam forms when heated air melts snow on the roof. The melt runs downward until it becomes trapped behind still-frozen ice near the gutters. When the trapped water cannot run into the gutter system, it can back up under the shingles and into the structure causing water and structural damage, as well as potential mold growth.

About SERVPRO of Dearborn
SERVPRO^® of Dearborn provides 24-hour disaster mitigation service. We specialize in the restoration of homes and businesses suffering losses from water, flood, wind, storm, fire and smoke damage. Our locally owned and operated 24/7 response team is just a phone call away. 313-359-3457