With winter here in the Fraser Valley with unexpected cold temperatures, homeowners need to insure that their household pipes don’t freeze.
Tips to Protect Your Household Pipes
1. Turn off the water to your outside taps to prevent freezing water from rupturing the line. You can do this by finding the shut-off that services the exterior tap.
2. If no shut off is servicing the tap (at minimum) disconnect the hose Cover the exposed tap with a styrofoam cover (available at your local hardware store).
3. Having a qualified contractor install Anti-Siphon Frost Free Hose Bibs can save you potential major headaches. These exterior taps are sturdier than a standard tap. The mechanism is smoother and more reliable. Most importantly they prevent frost build-up and reverse flow into the home.
Your Pipes Did Freeze
What if your pipes did freeze, despite your best preventive measures?
- Don’t panic. Just because they’re frozen doesn’t mean they’ve already burst. Here’s what you can do. If you turn on your faucets and nothing comes out, leave the faucets turned on and contact a plumber.
- Don’t use electrical appliances in areas of standing water. You could be electrocuted.
- Please, never try to thaw a pipe with a torch or other open flame. Because it could cause a fire hazard. Water damage is preferable to burning down your house!
- With a hair dryer you may be able to thaw a frozen pipe – take care about point 2!. Start by warming the pipe as close to the faucet as possible and working toward the coldest section of pipe.
- If your water pipes are already bursted, turn off the water at the main shutoff valve in the house. Leave the water faucets turned on.
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