Fluid Detectors and Avoiding Disaster with Frozen Pipes
During the cold winter months, frozen pipes can be a serious issue. Since this winter has been especially cold in many parts of the country, you’ve probably heard some horror stories about frozen pipes already. In Toronto, even the subway system had issues with burst pipes. In early January, both Bloor Station and St. Clair station were flooded on separate days due to burst pipes. Thankfully, there are things you can do to prevent frozen pipes and fluid detectors can be utilized to prevent disasters. People across the country have been forced to deal with the damage caused by their pipes freezing and bursting. In many of these cases, the resulting flood damage is costly and time-consuming to repair, especially if fluid detectors are not installed. Flood damage can ruin homes and personal belongings while also being incredibly expensive to deal with. You can avoid these disasters by taking a few precautions to protect your pipes from freezing as well as by utilizing fluid detectors to prevent floods. Make sure that exposed pipes are insulated
This is especially true for pipes that may be touching exterior walls, such as those in a basement. You can use specially-designed foam pipe covers or other types of pipe insulation to ensure that all of your exposed pipes are insulated properly.
Shut Off Pipes as Necessary
If you have a hose hooked up in your backyard, remove the hose and shut off water to the pipes that you’re not going to use during the winter. Once your pipes are shut off, open the valve outside for a few minutes to ensure that all water is drained out of the pipe before the winter weather hits.
If you’re going away for a longer period of time or if you end up suffering from a power outage for a few days (such as the one that happened in Toronto and Southern Ontario at the end of December) turn off the main shutoff valve that controls water coming into the house. Then open all of your taps inside the house to make sure that all of the water is out of them.
Keep your Pipes Warm
Make sure that your garage remains closed as often as possible if you have water supply lines or other pipes in your garage. Open kitchen, bathroom and laundry cabinet doors to let warm air reach the plumbing. If Your Pipes Freeze Do not use a blow torch or any open flame to thaw your pipes. This is a serious fire hazard. Instead, use a blow dryer or a warm towel to thaw the pipe. If you’re using a blow dryer, check the dryer regularly to make sure it does not overheat. Frozen pipes can break and, when that water thaws, this can cause serious flooding. Shut off the water to limit the damage.
Using Fluid Detectors at Home
Frozen pipes that burst while you are not home or not near the broken pipe can cause major flooding and an incredible amount of damage. Installing fluid detectors is an excellent way to ensure that you don’t end up with a disaster. A fluid detector can immediately alert you to a flood so that you can take steps to fix the situation right away and reduce the damage.Fluid detectors are usually installed behind toilets, under sinks or beside drains. If you are only installing one fluid detector the most important location is in the basement beside the main drain because water will follow gravity. Fluid detectors are connected to the premises’ alarm system so that, if the presence of water is detected, the alarm will send a water hazard trouble signal to our 24/7 Central Monitoring Station. Additional water sensors can be installed behind toilets and under wash basins in case these plumbing lines ever become dislodged or rupture for any reason.
Flood damage is the leading cause of property damage in North America and most Insurance companies will give discounts to clients that go to the effort to have a fully monitored flood detection system properly installed in their premises. You can even connect the alarm system to the main water shut off valve so it can be turned off when trouble arises.
Water Damage Protection Special: SafeTech will install a hard wired fluid detection device beside your main sewer drain for FREE with the purchase of any monitored alarm system*. *With purchase of standard 36 month monitoring agreement from $25.95 per month. Speak with a SafeTech Loss Prevention Expert for more details.