Thawing frozen pipes are the real concern

Fluctuating temperatures in New England could be bad news for homeowners. Homeowners may not realize that frozen pipes have the potential for causing significant damage while they are thawing, but OceanPoint Insurance has some suggestions on immediate actions you can take that may save you thousands of dollars.

After surviving the recent cold spell, many people across Rhode Island may be under the false impression that a frozen pipe will simply defrost in the warmer days. If you wake up to any cold morning and find that your water isn’t running, consider taking the actions below to potentially prevent further damage to your home.

• Shut off the main water valve to relieve pressure from your water supply lines.
• Turn on the faucet that is connected to the line which you suspect is frozen.
• Turn up the thermostat in your home, and open all the cabinets that have hidden pipes.
• Look for the pipe that may be blocked. You can identify a frozen pipe if it looks bulgy, has frost or ice.
• Once the frozen pipe is found, use a hair dryer, space heater or heating tape to warm the pipe before it has a chance to burst. You can leave the heating tape for future purposes, connecting it to an outlet only when necessary.
• When thawing the frozen pipes, do not use an open flame or heat gun because it can potentially melt your pipes or accidently start a fire in your home.
• If these suggestions don’t resolve your issue, call a professional plumber who can fix the issue and can give you solutions to prevent frozen pipes from reoccurring.

The formation of ice can place over 2,000 pounds of pressure per square inch on, and if left unattended can rupture your pipes and spill hundreds of gallons of water per hour. OceanPoint Insurance understands that unexpected things can happen, but you can take steps to reduce your chances of experiencing this unfortunate winter issue.

Committed to protecting you and your family from any loss, OceanPoint Insurance agents are available when you need us. Visit one of our locations to speak with an agent about your insurance needs, or to learn about other safety topics at https://www.oceanpointins.com/