your pipes are gonna freeze tonight and here's what you need to do about it βοΈ
okay so it's FREEZING out there
like, actually dangerously cold
and i need everyone to understand something: your pipes can freeze and burst TONIGHT
not "eventually" or "if you're unlucky"
here's what actually happens:
it's cold β water in your pipes freezes β frozen water expands β creates up to 2,000 PSI of pressure β pipe can't handle it β BOOM β pipe bursts β water EXPLODES into your walls/ceiling/floor
a crack the size of a pencil tip can spray 250 GALLONS of water into your home PER DAY
water pouring through your ceiling
mold starting to grow (within 48 hours)
$70,000+ if it's really bad
living in a hotel while your house gets repaired
"but i've never had frozen pipes before"
congratulations! tonight might be your first time!
it only takes ONE night of extreme cold
DO THIS RIGHT NOW (i'm serious):
immediate actions for TONIGHT:
1οΈβ£ LET YOUR FAUCETS DRIP
especially faucets on exterior walls
yes, even just a trickle helps
moving water is harder to freeze
costs like $5 in water vs $20,000 in damage
2οΈβ£ OPEN CABINET DOORS
anywhere pipes are against exterior walls
lets warm air circulate around pipes
3οΈβ£ KEEP YOUR HEAT AT 55Β°F MINIMUM
even if you're trying to save money
trust me, the heating bill is cheaper than burst pipes
DON'T turn it down at night
4οΈβ£ DISCONNECT OUTDOOR HOSES
water left in hoses can freeze back into your pipes
drain outdoor faucets if possible
which pipes are most at risk:
π« pipes in exterior walls π« pipes in unheated spaces (garage, crawl space, attic) π« outdoor faucets and hose bibs π« pipes in cabinets against outside walls
warning signs your pipes are ALREADY freezing:
β οΈ no water when you turn on faucet (or only a trickle) β οΈ strange sounds from pipes β οΈ visible frost on exposed pipes β οΈ bulging or cracked pipes
if you think your pipes are frozen:
turn off water at the MAIN valve (so when it thaws you don't flood)
call a professional IMMEDIATELY - (443) 850-6948
do NOT use a blowtorch or open flame (yes people try this, yes it causes fires)
frozen pipes are one of the most common and expensive winter disasters
insurance companies HATE these claims because they're so costly
some insurance won't even cover it if they can prove you didn't take preventive measures
letting faucets drip tonight: costs $5 in water
calling Handyman on Call to insulate pipes: ~$200-500
dealing with burst pipes: $5,000-$70,000
additional protection (if you have time):
β insulate exposed pipes (foam pipe insulation is like $5 at hardware store) β seal cracks in walls where pipes run through β add heat tape to vulnerable pipes (available at hardware stores) β keep garage doors closed if you have water lines in there
for tonight specifically:
the temperature is dropping HARD
this is a "set an alarm to check your house at 3am if you have to" situation
β drip faucets β open cabinets
β keep heat on β check on vulnerable areas
don't be the person posting "my pipes burst and flooded my whole house what do i do???" at 4am
be the person who dripped their faucets and woke up to a dry house
pipe insulation, winterization, emergency frozen pipe service:
protect your home TONIGHT
the cold doesn't care if you "meant to do it tomorrow"
stay warm, stay safe, drip those faucets πβοΈ