Frozen Pipes? Your Crawlspace May be to Blame
The extreme cold temperatures and high winds this winter have caused havoc on the roads and left many families in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Muskegon, Traverse City and other Michigan communities without electricity.
Vented Crawlspaces
Nasty winter weather can also lead to frozen pipes and other damage to your home – especially if you have a vented or uninsulated crawlspace.
Vents in crawlspaces are meant to allow air circulation beneath your home. The problem is, when the frigid outside air enters your crawlspace through the vents, the pipes located there can easily freeze and burst. In addition, all of that cold air circulating in the crawlspace eventually finds its way up into your living area – which causes drafty rooms, freezing floors and other issues.
Sealed and Insulated Crawlspaces
The best way to prevent frozen pipes and keep your living areas more comfortable is to seal the vents and encapsulate your crawlspace. The next best step is to add insulation in the crawlspace. These upgrades will keep your home and your pipes warmer as well as help reduce energy costs.
Tips to Thaw Your Frozen Pipes
If the pipes in your home do freeze, the American Red Cross suggests taking the following actions to help prevent them from damaging your home.
- Apply heat to the pipe by using an electric heating pad or towel soaked in hot water wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, or a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials). Never use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device.
- Keep the faucet open. As you treat the pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt ice in the pipe.
- Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, other may freeze, too.
Photo:rainbowintrl.com
