Keep the Cold from Freezing Your Pipes, Ruining Your HomeBy John Voket Recently, I received a notice from Aquarion Water Company, one of the 10 largest privately owned water utilities in the country, warning all its northern tier customers of a chilling fact—every winter, unsuspecting property owners experience catastrophic frozen pipe bursts. According to Aquarion, unprotected pipes and water meters can freeze and expand within hours of the onset of frigid weather. Pipes running through uninsulated exterior walls or other unheated spaces usually are at the highest risk, although pipes in heated rooms can freeze if exposed to cold drafts. Frozen pipes can burst resulting in thousands of dollars in damage for remodeling, mold remediation, emergency substitute housing costs, as well as the loss of irreplaceable belongings. To help customers avoid these problems, Aquarion’s website, aquarionwater.com offers visitors tips on preventing frozen pipes and meters. “It doesn’t take much. Even a tiny split in a pipe can spew hundreds of gallons of water into your home or business in one day,” said Donna Parlatore, Director of Utility Operations for the company. Keeping cold temperatures away from pipes and water meters with insulation is far easier and less expensive than replacing pipes that freeze and burst. Some actions customers can take to prevent frozen pipes include:
Parlatore also stressed that anyone trying to thaw a pipe on their own should never use a torch or open flame. “We would recommend contacting a licensed plumber.” |
Today's Top Stories |