Protect Your Pipes – Prevent Damage – Save $

Protect Your Pipes–Prevent Damage–Save $ Homebuilders in the South often do not consider the threat of freezing weather and thus place water pipes in vulnerable locations. Houses built on slab foundations, common in the South, frequently have water pipes running through the attic, an especially vulnerable location. In addition, Southern homeowners experience relatively few severe cold spells, so they don't consider freezing a problem and don't bother checking the condition or location of pipes in their homes. Homeowners in the South need to be alert to the danger of freezing and bursting water pipes when the outdoor temperature threatens to drop below 30° F. That's the temperature at which ice is likely to start forming in water pipes located in an unheated portion of a house. Once ice forms into a blockage in a pipe, continued growth of ice in the pipe can lead to excessive water pressure. It's pressure of the water that has no place to go when ice builds that causes the pipe to burst, rather than ice pushing against the wall of a pipe. The 30° F threshold is primarily for homes in the South and other areas where freezing may occur only a handful of times each season. There are several precautions homeowners in the South can take when the temperature is expected to dip into the below 30: Seal all openings where cold air can get at unprotected water pipes. It's especially important to keep cold wind away from pipes, which speeds up the freezing process. Leave cabinet doors open under the kitchen and bathroom sinks to allow warmer room air to circulate around pipes. Let faucets drip slowly to keep water flowing through pipes that are vulnerable to freezing. Ice might still form in the pipes, but an open faucet allows water to escape before the pressure builds to where a pipe can burst. If the dripping stops, it may mean that ice is blocking the pipe; keep the faucet open, since the pipe still needs pressure relief. Pipes in attics and crawl spaces should be protected with insulation or heat. Pipe insulation is available in fiberglass or foam sleeves. Home centers and hardware stores have sleeves providing 1/8 to 5/8 inches of insulation; specialty dealers have products that provide up to 2 inches of insulation. The extra thickness is worth the price and can save a pipe that would freeze with less insulation.  Portable lights may provide enough heat to keep the attic temp from freezing. Heating cables and tapes are effective in freeze protection. Select a heating cable with the UL label and a built-in thermostat that turns the heat on when needed (without a thermostat, the cable has to be plugged in each time and might be forgotten). Follow the manufacturer's instructions closely. Exterior pipes should be drained or enclosed in 2" fiberglass insulation sleeves. Pipes leading to the exterior should be shut off and drained at the start of the winter. If these exterior faucets do not have a shut-off valve inside the house, have one installed by a plumber. Most building codes now require homes to have adequate protection for pipes, but many plumbing installers are either not aware of the requirements, or simply disregard them. Additionally, many houses were built before the codes required such protection, and thus remain vulnerable.

Join Us to Support Bay Area Pet Adoptions.

Donations can be dropped at our office!  Thanks!

JOIN US supporting Bay Area Pet Adoptions again this holiday season!

Items you can drop off at any of the listed locations Needed Supplies & Wish List   Dog Food: Dry Purina One Chicken & Rice Cat Food: Dry Pro Plan Chicken & Rice Prescription Dog Food - i/d, a/d, e/n, c/v and w/d Prescription Cat Food - o/m, w/d and r/d Natural Balance Pet Food Rolls, Any Flavor All food donations are welcome, the brands above are needed the most by the shelter.

You've changed your clocks. Now it's time to check Smoke Alarms!

Check your Smoke Alarms, now that you have changed the Clocks!

Finally, let's end on the topic of a different kind of preparedness: fires.

Now that we’ve moved back to Standard Time, the http://www.usfa.fema.gov/index.shtm" style="">U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) recommends that everyone test home smoke alarms and replace the batteries if more than one year old.

A properly installed and maintained smoke alarm is the only thing in your home that can alert you and your family of a http://www.ready.gov/home-fires" style="">home fire 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Whether you're awake or asleep, a working smoke alarm is constantly on alert scanning the air for fire and smoke. For more information on smoke alarms, fire escape planning, and fire prevention, visit the http://www.usfa.fema.gov/index.shtm" style="">USFA website.

 

 

 

Remember, The Time Changes This Sunday!

November 4—Daylight Saving Time Ends
Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 4, at 2:00 A.M. Before going to bed on Saturday, November 3, remember to “fall back” by setting your clocks back 1 hour.

Monday Morning Wake Up Call!

Many students will be heading back to school Monday morning!  This is a Wake Up Call to ask you to pay special attention to school zones you may have ignored over the summer.  Slow down, put away your phone and watch for students who may be thinking more about seeing their friends than watching traffic.

Beware of water damage waiting to strike your home!

Beware of water damage waiting to strike your home from your Air Conditioning overflow!  Several claims have been reported to our office for Air Conditioning condensate overflow.  Please, get your air conditioning system serviced to include flushing and clearing of your condensate drainage system.  Besides protecting your home from water damage, annual AC maintenance will save you money on your electric bill.  If you need a referral to a a reputable AC service, please call us.  281-332-8980.  Annual AC service will cost you less than $100.  This is a bargain compared to the thousands of dollars it could cost you in water damage repairs!  Please call us to discuss how to protect your home from water damage due to AC condensate overflow.

We are closed Wednesday July 4th

We will be closed on Wednesday July 4th to celebrate the Independence Day Holiday!

No matter how you choose to celebrate, please enjoy a safe holiday!