OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – With temperatures dropping to dangerous levels, many homeowners are concerned about the protection of their pipes.
According to the Institute for Corporate and Home Security, $ 4 billion in insurance claims have been paid for frozen, burst pipes.
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Oklahoma City officials say that while you can’t stop the temperatures outside from dropping, there are some steps you can take to keep the temperatures from ruining your home.
Seal cracks
Seal around door frames and windows, as well as pipes through which they enter the house, to reduce the cold.
Wrap all pipes in unheated areas
Pipes in unheated areas such as the crawl area under the house, attic, garage, and unheated basement should be wrapped to prevent freezing. Use electrical tape and wrap it the entire length of the exposed pipe. You can also use flexible molded pipe sleeves. Cover all valves, pipe fittings, etc. with electrical tape or fiberglass. We do not recommend using electrical heating tape to insulate water pipes.
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Protect outer pipes and taps
In some houses, the outside tap has its own shut-off in the basement in addition to the shut-off valve for the entire house. If you have a separate valve for outside taps, close the valve, remove the hoses, and drain the faucet. If you don’t have a separate valve, wrap the outer faucets (hose bibs) in newspapers or rags covered in plastic.
Drain the sprinklers in the ground
Check the manufacturer’s directions for the best way to accomplish this.
Open cabinet doors in the kitchen and bathroom
Water pipes that supply these spaces are often found on exterior walls. Any air leaks in the siding or insulation can cause these pipes to freeze. Leaving the doors open when the temperature is below freezing will give them more warmth
Turn off all your water and drain your system if you are away for a long period of time
Turn off the main shut-off valve, then turn on all faucets, sinks, showers, etc., and flush the toilets. Turn off the water heater. Then go back to the main stop valve and remove the plug so it can drain completely. Leaving your oven on low while you are away may help but may not prevent it from freezing.
If your pipes are freezing, one trick you may not know is to pour a tablespoon of salt down the drain – but don’t add water, as a rapid change in temperature could damage the pipe.
“We are in the business of saving lives and property, so if we can save property and prevent some of this water damage, we will do our best to help,” said OKCFD Batt. Chef Benny Fulkerson.
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