Home Winterization
Preventing Frozen and Burst Pipes
If the temperature inside a house dropa below 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius) it's likely that the water supply pipes and the drain traps will freeze. When water freezes it expands 9 percent, and if there is no room for expansion it's possible that the pipe will burst. When the ice thaws the pipe will leak, and in the supply system this leak could occur anywhere.
Fixing a burst pipe can be expensive, but the damage from uncontrolled water leakage can easily reach into the thousands of dollars. A properly-insulated house built to current building codes will probably never experience this problem when the heating system runs properly, the electricity supply stays on, and the furnace fuel supply never runs out.
If you plan to leave your summer residence un-occupied during the winter months you should Home Winterize before the temperatures drop!
Winterization includes the following:
- Water supply shut off
- Water heater drained, faucets opened
- Air-compressor used to blow-out plumbing lines
- RV antifreeze added to drain traps, toilets and appliances to prevent freezing damage
- Signage posted at all doors, plumbing fixtures and electrical panel