How To Prevent Frozen Water Pipes

Water pipes are extremely vulnerable when the temperatures plummet as they have this last week in Wake Forest NC. The extended forecast shows even more colder than normal temps in the days ahead. Here are some great tips to help you prevent your water pipes from freezing AND what to do if the water pipes DO freeze!


Prevention:

• Insulate pipes in unheated areas paying attention to pipes that run along the floors, ceiling and outside walls (don't forget the garage!)
• Disconnect any garden hoses.
• Be sure to seal any foundation cracks that you may have that would allow cold air into crawlspaces.
• Open cabinet doors under the kitchen sink and bathroom vanities.
• Let a small trickle of water flow from your faucets during the extreme cold.
• Keep all exterior doors to unheated areas CLOSED! (utility rooms, garage, exterior yet attached storage rooms)
• If you are going out of town be sure to have a neighbor check on your water pipes while away.
• If you are going to be gone for an EXTENDED period of time or you have a vacant property you should have the water pipes drained.

After the Fact: (frozen but not burst)

• SHUT THE WATER OFF!
• Be sure to familiarize yourself with shutoff valves.
• Never try to thaw a pipe with an open flame or torch.
• Turn up the heat in the house to warm the surroundings (if an inside pipe)
• Infrared lamps can help to heat up a pipe.
• A hair dryer can be used to warm up the frozen area of the pipe.
• Heat lamp or portable heaters.
• Electric heat tape applied to frozen pipe.

A frozen water pipe can spell disaster should it burst. If you are in need of advice for water damage you can check out a post I have on What's Your Circa - while the post may have been written during hurricane season it still addresses water damage regardless of the cause.

Water Damaged Historic Homes - What to Do.

Stay warm my friends! It's COLD in Wake Forest NC!

Historic Beauty in Franklinton

Stunning Home - Impressive Details

A NEW BLOG! Check It Out!!!

What a fantastic opportunity for me!

I have decided to heed the advice of many as well as pursue a lifelong passion of mine which is to delve more into historic properties! Don't fret - Circa Properties is here for a VERY long time and will assist both buyers and sellers whether they are interested in historic property or not. However, as a side endeavor for me, I will concentrate on historic properties.

With that in mind, I have created a new blog that will allow you to journey with me to some of the most fantastic homes of the century as well as guide you through the maze that is purchasing, restoring and maintaining a historic home!

I hope you enjoy and, as always, I am open to any suggestions, comments or ideas of information that you would like to see.

Please visit What's Your Circa and let me know what you think! Don't forget that there are many other avenues that I offer by way of blogs that will help acquaint you with my area and what I do.

• The Pink Oyster - the original and NEVER to be outdone. Ever wonder where the name came from? Ask my son, Liam, he named it and chose the colors so it will NEVER change!


• Life In Wake Forest or Welcome To My Backyard.... - either one will take you to the most informative blog around for everyday life, special events and interesting information about Wake Forest, NC


• What's YOUR Circa? - The newest in a campaign to assist, educate and highlight the value of historic properties!


• Luxury Raleigh Homes - a blog that highlights some of the finest luxury homes that are offered in the Raleigh area as well as news and trends for luxury homes.


• Carolina Dreamin' - Hip City....No Hassles - a Raleigh-centric blog that I have to admit, has been a little neglected lately. What did you expect? I started my own company and had to live life for a little while so - expect that one to ramp up again shortly.

It's been a whirlwind and I am still hanging on for dear life! However, those of you that know me also know that I wouldn't have it any other way.......

~Ciao