What's down in the basement?

2/14/2019 (Permalink)

Our crew was at a new water loss in Mackay, ID. The owners were gone for two months. They came home to find their flooring was severely buckled and there was standing water in the basement.

The loss was from a water line that was going to the kitchen sink that had frozen and then broke. Our crew had to pack out all of the contents before they were able to start the demolition process.

According to www.consumerreports.com they have a few ideas to possibly help avoid a freezing pipe.

Keep garage doors closed, especially if there are water supply lines in the garage.

Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing, especially if your sinks are on an exterior wall. (If you have small children, be sure to remove any harmful cleaners and household chemicals.)

Let the cold-water drip from a faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe—even at a trickle—helps prevent pipes from freezing.

Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature during day and night. Again, during a cold snap is not the time to set back the thermostat at night to save a few bucks on your heating bill.

If you plan to be away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55° F.

For the long term, add insulation to attics, basements, and crawl spaces. Insulation will maintain higher temperatures in those areas and prevent drafts, seal cracks and openings around windows, doors, and at sill plates, where the house rests on its foundation.

If you have a fire, water, mold, or asbestos disaster give us a call today at (208) 523-5365.