Extreme cold conditions

2/13/2020 (Permalink)

Outside faucet frozen over with ice.

If you live in the Sioux Falls area, we don’t have to tell you how cold it was this morning. What we do want to talk about in regards to the freezing temps is the risk of frozen and burst pipes. Extreme temperature swings like the one we are currently experiencing can wreak havoc on your home.

The general cut-off temperature point to be on alert for frozen pipes is around 20 degrees Fahrenheit. At this point pipes can begin to freeze. You may not think that would be a big concern as the internal temperature of your home is well above that. While you may be comfortable in your home, pipes that run along the outside of the house or say a kitchen sink that is against an outside wall of the house. These areas typically have less insulation.

Unfortunately it is not always possible to tell if your pipes have been frozen until they thaw and burst. This is why precaution is the best course of action. Some possible courses of action include:

• Setting taps to run on cold at the slowest possible rate of flow. Even a tiny amount of water moving through the pipes can prevent freezing.
• Set your thermostat higher than normal and open cabinets that contain pipes so they are exposed to warm air circulating throughout the house.
• Another option is to add insulation to pipes that are in un-heated areas.

Stay warm and stay safe! Should you experience any damage related to frozen and burst pipes, call SERVPRO of West Sioux Falls at 605-213-3303 and our team of water damage experts will help restore your home "Like it never even happened."