Tips for Building Owners and Operators to Help Prevent Costly Water Damage from Frozen Pipes

Property owners and operators deal with countless burst pipes due to freezing during the cold winter months. The potential damage to a building from a burst pipe is significant. Not only can it disrupt building operations, water can ruin building materials, belongings, furnishing, and can even result in structural damage in some cases.

Water and moisture can also allow for the growth of mold which can cause health concerns and dramatically increase the cost to repair the property. In older buildings, repair activities could even disturb lead-based paints and asbestos-containing materials.

Fortunately, there are some simple steps that can be taken to help prevent pipes from freezing. They include the following:

• Insulate or heat any pipes that could be susceptible to freezing. Don’t forget pipes that could be out of sight in basements, crawlspaces, and attics.
• Detach outdoor hose connections. Insulate the hose bib. If there is an indoor valve to these outdoor bibs turn them off, allow the pipes to drain, and leave the outside valve open so any remaining water can expand without bursting the pipes.
• Keep any garage doors closed if there are water lines located there or within garage walls.
• Open indoor closet and cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate, and heat pipes located in wall or ceiling cavities.
• Be sure the HVAC system is operating properly. Operate the heat in vacant buildings or units. Many experts recommend keeping the heat at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit in vacancies.
• Turning the water off to the property and draining the water lines is an option for vacant properties; however, this could prevent fire suppression systems from being able to operate.
• During extreme cold weather some people choose to allow a trickle of water to flow from a faucet to keep water in motion and to bring in warmer water to help prevent pipes from freezing.

“Each year, billions of dollars are spent by insurers to cover water damage and frozen pipe claims,” said Frank Selamie, President of CTSI. “Winterizing a building and having a plan in place in case of a frozen pipe and subsequent water damage is essential. Being prepared can dramatically decrease the amount of time building activities are disrupted, minimize property damage and mold growth, and help to avoid disturbing regulated building materials - such as lead or asbestos.”

Offering their expertise to building owners and operators to help mitigate frozen pipe occurrences and water damage are the building science professionals at CTSI. They offer building inspections, testing, monitoring, and consulting services to identify water damage threats, mold and moisture problems, and exposure risks to hazardous substances and regulated materials.

To learn more about this or other building science, industrial hygiene, indoor air quality, environmental, health, and safety services, please visit www.ctsiweb.com, email contactus@ctsiweb.com , or call (212) 971-7016.

About CTSI
Established in 1992, Consulting & Testing Services, Inc. (CTSI) was founded on one strong commitment: to provide efficient and expert services to clients based on professionalism, innovation, and cost-effective expert solutions. This commitment has been furthered with CTSI’s reputation in fostering client relationships in all sectors of the Environmental, Health, Safety, and Construction industries. CTSI prides itself in utilizing a high quality service based on its diverse team of staff and professionals’ concise recommendations and solutions to the most pressing dilemmas. The company operates offices in New York and Florida that service clients across the United States.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail