Likewise, you'll want to keep an eye on pipes that run along exterior walls and make sure they have additional insulation. Pay close attention to water pipes that are in attics, garages, basements or crawl spaces because temperatures in these unheated interior spaces usually mimic outdoor temperatures. When a cold snap hovers around or below 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-6 degrees Celsius), it's time to let at least one faucet drip. When the ice thaws, the water needs somewhere to go in order to relieve pent-up pressure. This is why you'll always want to leave a faucet on if a pipe is frozen completely, even if there's not enough water flow for a drip. The combined pressure of the expanding and shrinking ice blockage and the increasing water pressure behind it can cause pipes to leak or burst. The pipes become damaged during the freeze, but don't begin to wreak havoc until they thaw. Pipe joints are especially vulnerable, but water - which expands as it freezes - can stress metal or plastic pipes at almost any point. The real reason a dripping faucet can help prevent pipes from bursting is that the constant drip relieves pressure that is building up in the pipes between the ice blockage and the faucet, and helps to prevent them from bursting when the pipes begin to thaw. Although this helps, the truth is that at extreme temperatures water can freeze even while it is flowing. A common misconception is that the drip prevents water from freezing because it stays in motion when it's running through the pipes. If you aren't sure where the incoming water source is located, setting any faucet to drip will help. The dripping faucet should be as far away from the water source as possible so the water will flow through the entire length of the system. The cost of a water leak from frozen pipes is even higher for business owners, where claims average about $27,000 but can occasionally reach into the millions, notes a Philadelphia Insurance Companies report.īut can one dripping faucet really save the day? If it's the right one. Burst pipes are one of the most common causes of property damage during a bout of freezing temperatures, with homeowner claims averaging more than $10,000, says the Insurance Information Institute. How much value does one dripping faucet have? A lot, if it keeps your home's water pipes from bursting during frigid weather.
It's such a simple thing, leaving a single faucet dripping, but it can prevent so many complications later on.
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