Frigid temps ahead, be on the lookout for frozen pipes!

2/5/2021 (Permalink)

Exterior pipe covered with ice

If you’re not a fan of winter and cold temperatures, you may just want to avoid any prognostications for the Sioux Falls area and bunker down inside. After what has been a relatively mild winter, the area is expected to be hit with very low temperatures and a biting wind chill. As temperatures will top out in the single digits, the wind chill is expected to be as low as -30.

What does this mean for you?

With extreme cold like this, we recommend stocking up on supplies and then hunkering down inside. Avoid the outdoors as much as possible. When wind chills are as low as -20, frostbite can occur within as little as ten minutes of exposure. If you do need to venture outside, make sure you are properly bundled up and wearing multiple layers to increase heat retention.

What does this mean for my home?

As a homeowner, it is important to know about risks to your home when temperatures drop as low as expected. We recommend keeping your home at 65 degrees at the minimum to avoid any issues with plumbing and frozen pipes. A burst pipe from frozen piping is one of the biggest issues to try to avoid when the temperatures get this low. The plumbing most at risk are pipes that are in under-insulated areas such as along exterior walls or under a crawl space. If you are able to access these areas, you can put foam insulation around the pipes to help them retain heat. It is also helpful to run water through your pipes at least hourly. Also, know where your water main shutoff is so you can shut off the flow if you do experience a burst pipe.

Should you have any damage from a burst pipe, call SERVPRO of Sioux Falls anytime, day or night. We are standing by 24/7 to help you with emergencies in your home or business! 605-213-3303