Preventing frozen pipes during bitter cold

HASTINGS, Neb. (KSNB) - The weather outside is frightful, but there are ways to protect for people to protect their homes as the bottom drops out of the thermometer, it all starts with a part of the home you rarely thought about.

More than 250,000 families and homes experience a frozen or burst pipe each year, that’s according to Tritan Plumbing.

In that same report they say that pipes freezing is ever more likely with a sudden drop in temperature.

Water expands as it freezes, that expansion works differently based on the type of pipe you have.

If you live in an older home with copper pipes you may be at a more elevated risk for a burst pipe because of the age of the pipes.

Some pipes may freeze but that doesn’t mean they will burst. Meaning the frozen area will simply just expand along the length of the pipe.

When it comes to avoiding burst pipes, there is a simple method way experts say you can avoid any cold messes.

“Just a few things that you can do a checklist for that would be, to make sure you leave your faucets running even if it’s just a drip that will have the water flow continue through your faucets,” Angie Meyer with Mcelroy Service Experts said. “Open up cabinet doors. Direct warm air to cold areas of your home, and then to also keep your garage doors closed.”

Adams County Emergency Manager Ron Pughes gave some steps for a worse case scenario of a pipe bursting.

“Once you realize you have a water break, turn off the water first and foremost as quick as you can,” Pughes said. “Do some clean up, so it doesn’t get into your baseboards or damage your cabinets, the bottom of your cabinet will get ruined very quickly if water sits on there. Then call for a repairman, call for a plumber to do a repair.”

Pughes said for anyone who doesn’t where their water shut off is a great way to prepare for winter storms is by finding it.

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