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Avoid Home Damage from Frozen Pipes

By: utah Burden


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Texas Department of Insurance
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January six, 2010
News Release
Avoid Home Harm from Frozen Pipes
Texas weather may modification quickly, especially in the winter. A quick-moving cold front may cause temperatures to drop below freezing within hours. Out of doors pipes, pipes in unheated areas, plus pipes that run along uninsulated exterior walls may burst if the water in them freezes plus expands. This may shatter pipe seals or the pipes themselves, sending water pouring through your house. You are able avoid thousands of bucks of injury to your walls, ceilings, carpets, plus furniture by taking some simple measures to guard your home.
Before the Freeze
· Guard taps, outside pipes, plus exposed pipes in unheated areas by wrapping them with rags, newspaper, trash bags, or plastic foam.
· Insulate your out of doors water meter box plus be certain its lid is on tight.
· Cover any vents around your home's foundation.
· Drain and store water hoses indoors.

· Guard outdoor electrical pumps.

· Drain swimming pool circulation systems or stay the pump motor running. (Run the pump motor solely in a short freeze. Running the motor for long periods could harm it.)

· Drain water sprinkler supply lines.

· Open the cabinets beneath sinks in your kitchen and bogs to permit heated indoor air to flow into around the water pipes.

· Set your thermostat at a minimum temperature of fifty-five degrees, particularly when you are gone for the day or away for an extended period.

· Let indoor faucets drip; it is not necessary to run a stream of water.
· Make sure you know where your home's shut-off valve is and how to flip it on plus off.

· If you allow city, contemplate turning off your water at the shut-off valve whereas taps are running to empty your pipes. Create sure you switch the faucets off before you turn the shut-off valve keep on.

· If you drain your pipes, contact your electrical or gas utility company for directions on protecting your water heater.

If Your Pipes Freeze
· If a pipe bursts and floods your home, turn the water off at the shut-off valve. Decision a plumber for help if you can't find the broken pipe or if it's inaccessible. Don't turn the water back on until the pipe has been repaired.

· If the pipe hasn't burst, thaw it out with an electric heating pad, hair dryer, portable house heater, or towel soaked with hot water. Apply heat by slowly moving the warmth source toward the coldest spot on the pipe. Never concentrate heat in 1 spot as cracking ice can shatter a pipe. Turn the tap on plus let it run till the pipe is thawed plus water pressure returns to normal.

· Do not use a blowtorch or different open-flame device. They are already fire risks and carbon monoxide exposure risks.

If You Have a Loss
· Contact your insurance agent or company promptly. Follow up as soon as possible together with a written claim to shield your rights beneath Texas' prompt-payment law.

· Review your coverage. Most householders and renters policies pay for property repair. Additionally, nearly all policies pay for debris removal plus for extra living expenses if you've got to move briefly since of harm to your home. If you can't discover your policy, raise your agent or company for a copy.

· Owners policies can need you to form temporary repairs to guard your property from extra damage. Your policy covers the cost of these repairs. Keep every one receipts plus broken property for the adjuster to inspect. If potential, take photos or videos of the harm before producing repairs. Don't make permanent repairs. An insurance company can deny a claim if you make permanent repairs before an adjuster inspects the damage.

· The majority of householders policies don't cover loss caused by freezing pipes while your home is unoccupied unless you used affordable care to take care of heat during the building; shut off the water supply; and drain water from plumbing, heating, and air conditioning systems.

Questions?
If you have queries about insurance, decision TDI's Shopper Facilitate Line toll-free: 1-800-252-3439
or visit the TDI web site: www.tdi.state.tx.us. Help is obtainable in both English plus Spanish.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

www.utahburden.com

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