Winter is Coming!!!

12/5/2016 (Permalink)

Cooler temperatures, morning frost, rain, and snow fall tell us winter has begun. Not only must we prepare for these changes ourselves, it’s important to prepare our homes for winter weather as well. Pipe bursts and puff backs can occur without the proper precautions. In order to get ahead, here is a list of preventative methods for losses that occur most during the winter.

Frozen Pipes

A frozen pipe can burst at the point where the ice blockage inside the pipe is located. A burst pipe can cause considerable damage to your property if not addressed quickly. To prevent burst pipes and prepare for winter weather, follow these easy steps:

• Keep cabinet doors open during cold spells. This allows warm air to circulate around pipes.
• Keep a slow trickle of water flowing through faucets, especially if the pipes for faucets run through unheated or uninsulated areas of your home.
• Consider shutting off outdoor faucets. Find the shut-off valve in the basement or crawl space and turn it to “off.” Then open the outdoor faucet to help ensure it drains completely and the inner valve is shut off.

Puff Backs

A puff back is a messy furnace malfunction that occurs when an oil burner backfires, sending soot throughout your home or business. It can happen all at once, covering the inside of your home in grimy soot, or a puff back can leak soot particles more gradually. Proper maintenance of your furnace can help reduce the risk of puff backs.

• Keep your oil heating system free of dust
• Inspect and service your heating system yearly

In case of water damage or damage caused by a puff back, SERVPRO of Tacoma is faster to any size disaster, bringing the latest equipment and training to help make your property damage “Like it never even happened.”