Protect those Pipes this Fall Season!

10/5/2022 (Permalink)

Protect your pipes from experiencing a freeze resulting in water damage

It was not too long ago when the State of Georgia experienced a historic freeze event that left people stranded in their commute home from work. Remember when Chipper Jones took to his faithful four-wheeler to rescue then-Atlanta slugger, Freddie Freeman?  It was certainly one of those memorable, heart-warming stories in the national news. Little did we know at the time, the catastrophe of being unprepared as a state to navigate snow and ice-laden roadways would be just the beginning. . . . It was merely the prequel to what would be an historic frozen pipe event that caught us all sleeping on being prepared!

According to the Farmers’ Almanac, this coming (2022-2023) Winter in Georgia will be “shivery, wet, and slushy.” It is expected to be colder in the Southeast, in general, this Winter, including the Peach State! If you are unfamiliar with how the Farmers’ Almanac works, join the crowd! However, the formulas utilize various factors, such as the moon, tidal action, sunspot activity, and even planetary movement. Elon, you there? The almanac winter forecast for Georgia calls for a solid mix of precipitation, with icy sleet and snow, to be expected.

If you are betting with the farmers of Georgia to have more of a grasp on the coming winter weather than your neighbor, there is never a better time to earn those brownie points from the wife by protecting your pipes! 3 simple steps for members of your household, or facility management team, to proactively decrease the risk of pipes bursting due to freezing temperatures. Insulate your pipes. Pipes in and around your home or commercial building that are exposed are most susceptible to freezing. If you are the DIY type and feel like you could tackle this at your home, here’s a solid guide to knocking out this project this Fall so that you’re prepared for the cold winter. Let ‘em drip. Maintaining a very light, but consistent drip from your faucets really does go a long way in preventing frozen pipes. Turn up the heat. Don’t ignore the weatherman. When a cold snap comes, cranking up your thermostat protects your pipes. For the projected coldest nights, leaving your thermostat up overnight, or if you know you will be away from your home during a cold snap, set the timer to come on for a couple hours in the morning and in the evening to keep things warm.

At the end of the day, it is important to learn from our recent history by taking proactive steps to limiting the risk of another freeze destroying your home. While insulating your pipes, letting your faucets drip lightly through the night, and maintaining a consistent, warmer temperature in your home are great ways to decrease the risk of frozen pipes (and worse—the burst!). There are several more ways in which you can proactively get out ahead of the coming freezing temperatures, all the while enjoying the Fall weather! We recommend speaking to a local professional on more ways you can go about protecting your pipes.