“State Farm reported Illinois was the No. 1 state for frozen pipe water loss claims in the U.S., and loss claims related to frozen pipes totaled more than $270 million nationwide in 2018.
To help protect your pipes and meters from the frigid temperatures quickly approaching, follow these tips that Iowa American Water shared Monday, Nov. 8.
When we reach below-freezing temps:
- If sinks are located along exterior walls, open below-sink cabinet doors to allow warm air to reach the pipes.
- Leave a small trickle of water running overnight to help prevent freezing and collect the water in a bucket to reuse – no water waste!
In the event your pipes do freeze:
- Shut off your water immediately.
- Do not attempt to thaw the pipes while the water is still on. Freezing can often cause unseen cracks in pipes that will leak once thawed.”
Read more tips about preventing pipe-freezing here.
Many homeowners who’ve discovered that their pipes have become frozen attempt to solve the problem on their own. The issue with that is if too much heat is applied quickly those pipes could explode! Furthermore, using a device like a heat gun to thaw pipes only works if the line is accessible. A safe and reliable alternative is the steam thawing method.
The team at DC Annis Sewer offers steam thawing of frozen pipes to residents in the Twin Cities region. Call us at (612) 861-6425 to schedule service!
