With temperatures currently well below freezing, the risk of frozen pipes in homes across the Denver Metro area increases exponentially. So what should you do if the pipes freeze in your Westminster rental home? Here are a few tips to follow in the event your pipes have already frozen.
5 Tips If the Pipes Freeze in Your Westminster Rental
Contact Your Landlord or Property Manager Immediately
This may sound like the obvious, but you’d be surprised by the number of residents who don’t think to do this first. In many cases, notifying your landlord or property manager of maintenance issues immediately is part of the lease. Make sure to follow the proper channels to notify them of the problem and understand that your landlord or property manager will take action as quickly as possible. During times of intense cold, plumbers may not be immediately available to solve the issue, but will address emergency matters as best they can. Stay calm and do what your landlord or property manager instructs to help mitigate the situation while waiting for a plumber to arrive.
Shut Off the Water
When pipes freeze, the biggest thing to do is to mitigate any further potential damage. Turn off the water main into the house, then drip any connected faucets. Doing so helps relieve pressure on the pipes. Then, of course, call your landlord or property manager immediately to let them know what’s going on.
Try and Thaw Visible Pipes
If the frozen pipe is visible, try thawing it out with a hair dryer or space heater. Never use an open flame to do so and be sure to keep space heaters far enough from flammable items to prevent a fire.
Check For Leaks
Once thawed, examine the exposed pipe for any leaks or cracks. Even with the main water turned off, you should still see a small trickle from the reduced pressure.
Take Precautionary Steps to Prevent Them From Freezing in the Future
While you can’t stop nature, you can take a few precautionary steps to help reduce the risk of frozen pipes. Stay up to date on winter storms and monitor temperatures throughout this winter season. Make sure to cover exterior spigots or see about turning off the water to the exterior entirely. In times of intense cold, drip your faucets and open cabinet doors to help warm air reach the pipes behind the walls. And last but not least, make sure to keep your home temperatures at a proper level. Experts recommend not setting your heat below 68 degrees.
Frozen pipes can easily ruin anyone’s day. They can easily cause thousands of dollars in damage to both the property owner and the resident, which makes trying to mitigate the problem as important as fixing it. So if the pipes freeze in your Westminster rental this winter, follow these simple steps to help reduce damage until a plumber can stop by.
