Tag Archive for: frozen pipes

Thawing frozen pipes are the real concern

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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/

Frozen Pipes: Preventing and Treatment

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frozen pipe

Why It’s a Problem:

Many homeowners know that frozen pipes are a problem, but many don’t understand why or how they occur, or what to do if such an event occurs.

When water freezes, it expands, which puts an immense amount of pressure on whatever is containing it. Therefore, if enough pressure is created, pipes can break and cause severe damage to your home. That is why we suggest carefully noting the location of your pipes, and insulate as needed to avoid water damage.

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes:

 Before the colder weather hits hardest this winter, follow these helpful tips to avoid potential damage:

  •  Consider relocating exposed pipes to provide increased protection from freezing
  • Remove, drain, and store hoses used outdoors. Keep outside valves open so that any water remaining in the pipe can expand without causing it to break.
  • When the weather is uncomfortably cold outside, let cold-water drip from the faucet that comes in by exposed pipes.
  • Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower temperatures in the evening, you can prevent a costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
  • If you plan to be away from home for an extended period of time, leave the heat on and set it to a temperature no lower than 55° F.

Found a Frozen pipe? Thaw It Out:

  • If you turn on a faucet and only a few drips come out, suspect a frozen pipe. Typically, frozen pipes are found along exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.
  • Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad, an electric hair dryer, or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, or other open flame device.
  • Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze, too.

If you see that damage has been caused by a frozen pipe, call a professional immediately. Fortunately, most damage caused by burst pipes within the home is covered under your standard homeowners policy. However, we suggest contacting your OceanPoint Insurance agent today at 401-847-5200 to discuss the terms and be certain you are fully protected.