In 2021, winter storms in the state of Texas led to billions of dollars in damage. To avoid this situation, our team at Pilot Plumbing offers these steps to protect your home from winter storm damage.
Know What Your Coverages Are
Find out what your home insurance or renters' policy will cover in the realm of water damage and burst pipes. Flood insurance won’t typically cover this damage, especially if you fail to take steps to protect your water pipes.
The key here is to be proactive by insulating and wrapping indoor and outdoor pipes and draining water hoses a few days in advance of an anticipated freeze. Also, be sure to drain and turn off any irrigation systems for your landscaping.
How to Wrap Pipes
One of the most cost-effective methods for preventing water pipes from freezing is to insulate your pipes. Our professionals recommend buying foam sleeves from a hardware store to cover them or to use a towel and tape to wrap them.
Let Faucets Drip
When a freeze is coming, professionals recommend opening cabinet doors where water sources come from to keep pipes warm with indoor heating. Furthermore, let the faucets drip from the tabs to keep a flow going that can prevent frozen pipes.
Prepare for Food Spoilage
Should the power go out during a hard freeze, you might be at risk of losing a bit of food in the freezer and refrigerator. Those with home and renter’s insurance tend to pay up to $500 to replace food items. Be sure to take photos of any spoiled goods due to a loss of power during a freeze.
What to Do if Pipes Freeze Up
Should you find that your pipes are frozen up, the first step to take is to turn off the shutoff valve. This can help prevent broken pipes from causing water damage to the home as they thaw. Most importantly, contact a local plumber to help restore your pipes, and here in Montgomery County, Pilot Plumbing has you covered!
Let Pilot Plumbing Cover Your Pipes and Assist with Repairs
Whether you need to repair leaky faucets or re-pipe the entire house due to a freeze or simply old age, Pilot Plumbing is ready to handle the task. Our team can also do custom work for your bathrooms, water softener systems, and even kitchen updating. Contact us online or call us at (936) 788-6829 today for a free consultation.
