No one wants the misfortune of having a furnace go out or to have problems with their pipes freezing during a cold winter, but several Denver homes will experience these problems. As Denver continues to experience cold weather, make sure your home is prepared.
Bell Plumbing & Heating has a few tips to help avoid some of these potential problems:
Before the cold:
Schedule bi-annual furnace maintenance
Your furnace should been inspected by a Heating professional. Air filters should be changed at your furnace's recommended change period.Your furnace should be cleaned regularly by a professional and if need be your ventilation equipment may need to be cleaned.
Know the location of your water shut-off and regularly test it.
In case the worst happens and a pipe breaks, you won't want to wait for someone to arrive at your place to find it for you. In most single-family homes, the shut-off valve is in the basement or crawl space on a wall facing the street.
Turn off and drain automatic and manual sprinkler systems before the first freeze.
You'll thank yourself in the spring. The freezing and thawing cycle can create cracks and weak spots in the sprinkler system, triggering silent underground leaks or mini-geysers.
Turn off outdoor faucets and be sure to disconnect hoses.
Make sure the faucet and outside piping is fully drained. A valve inside many houses will shut off the water's flow. Disconnect the hose to assure that freeze-proof faucets will drain.
Winterize unheated or vacant buildings.
Significant property damage and water loss can occur before burst pipes are discovered. Most susceptible are fire protection systems.
Insulate water pipes that may be vulnerable to the cold or have posed problems before.
Pipes close to exterior walls or in unheated basements can be wrapped with pieces of insulation. Don't overlook pipes near windows, which can quickly freeze. For particularly difficult pipes, consult Bell Plumbing's Parts Department at 303-757-5661 Ext 213 on how to select and apply heat tape. Improper use can cause fires. Insulation, and or, heat tape does not guarantee that pipes will not freeze.
DURING A DEEP FREEZE (-5 DEGREES AND BELOW)
Know who to call during an emergency.
Keep a plumbing and heating company's phone number nearby in case of an emergency. Bell Plumbing & Heating Company's 24/7emergency service line is 303-757-5661. We can also be contacted through our website at http://www.bellplumbing.com/contact.cfm
Keep open cabinet doors leading to exposed pipes so that household air can warmthem.
The natural flow of warmer air will help combat problems.
Keep attached garage doors shut.
Occasionally, plumbing is routed there, leaving it vulnerable to winter's worst.
Crack a faucet farthest from the place where your water enters the house.
A very slow drip will keep water molecules moving, reducing the chance that pipes will freeze. Don't forget to place a bucket underneath the faucet so the water can be saved for other household uses.
Keep your thermostat above 65 degrees when leaving your house or business for several days.
This practice is particularly important in houses and businesses prone to pipe freezing.
IF YOU THINK A PIPE HAS ALREADY FROZEN:
Don't wait for nature to take its course; thaw the pipe as soon as possible.
If you do it yourself, shut off the water or test the shut-off valve to make sure it works before beginning work.
In thawing, slow is best.
A hairdryer trained at the frozen area of the pipe is appropriate: a blow torch is not. Pipes that warm too fast can break anyway.
Bell Plumbing and Heating Company is a family owned business that began in 1926.
As an 81year-old family owned and operated business, you don't have to wonder if we will be around next year. We were here to help your grandparents and we promise to be here to provide service to your grandchildren as well!
We specialize in being your one-stop plumbing and heating service and installation company with 24/7 emergency service available. Call us at 303-757-5661 or via the web http://www.bellplumbing.com/index.cfm