CLEVELAND — One of the biggest threats to homeowners during frigid weather is bursting pipes. They can cause upwards of $5,000 in damage according to the insurance institute for business and home safety .
Water expands when it freezes putting tremendous pressure on whatever holds it. And anytime you get more than 24 hours of those temps, best case scenario, you could wind up without any running water in your home.
Worst case,talk about opening the floodgates.
Plumber Ron Morris says, "You're going to have broken pipes everywhere. It's going to be bad. I've seen it before."
So, to prevent paying out the nose for damage control, experts say turn on your faucets and let just a trickle of water drip overnight, preferably from a faucet on an outside wall. that’s because it's harder for moving water to freeze.
You can also protect the pipes by making sure they stay warm. Morris says, “Keep your cupboards open, especially if they're set up along an outside wall.”
But don't forget those outside pipes. Shut off the water and cover them, as well as the spigots. You can buy insulation at your local hardware store for as little as 50 cents per foot.
But if prevention doesn't work and your pipes freeze, make sure you turn off the inside water at the master shut off.
Plumber Dave Charvet says, "It could be in the garage, sometimes it's next to the water heater or outside near the water meter.”
Then wait for the ice to thaw. You can help it along using a hairdryer or heating pad. But whatever you do don't use any device with an open flame like a blowtorch. Otherwise you may end up like some homeowners, who burned down their houses, and now have an even bigger problem--something that could have been avoided with just a little prevention.
Home inspector, Norm Tyler says, "I’ve seen homes with 50 or 60 thousand dollars in damages you weren't counting on.”
The last tip keep the temperature in your home the same during both day and night. Many people turn down the heat when they’re asleep, but when the outside temperature drops, which typically happens overnight, that could lead to freezing pipes.
And if you leave your home, don’t let the temperature go any lower than 55 degrees.
All of this may cost you a little more,but it's cheaper than the alternative.