We learned about how to prevent frozen pipes as the weather starts turning colder on Delmarva. State Farm Insurance agent Claudia Nicholls, of Berlin, explained the three reasons why pipes freeze: quick drops in temperature, poor insulation, and thermostats set too low. Claudia says there are several steps homeowners can take to prevent their pipes from freezing. One of those steps is to insulate pipes. State Farm Insurance says, “The more insulation you use, the better protected your pipes will be.”
Claudia also discussed steps homeowners can take if their pipes do freeze. Among State Farm’s advice:
- If you turn on your faucets and nothing comes out, leave the faucets turned on and call a plumber.
- You may be able to thaw a frozen pipe with the warm air from a hair dryer. Start by warming the pipe as close to the faucet as possible, working toward the coldest section of pipe.
- If your water pipes have already burst, turn off the water at the main shutoff valve in the house; leave the water faucets turned on. Make sure everyone in your family knows where the water shutoff valve is and how to open and close it.
