Prepare Your Lake Lanier Home Plumbing For Cold Weather!

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Severe Cold Coming to Atlanta and North Georgia   Protect Your Plumbing From The Deep Freeze

The Weather Channel is predicting temperatures to be well below freezing for Atlanta and surrounding areas this week.  The low temperatures will continue for 2-4 days and will be considered a "hard freeze". We are urging our clients, customers, associates and employees to protect their plumbing pipes.   Why do pipes freeze and break during a cold spell?   When temperatures drop below freezing, water freezes and expands. The expanding water in your home's waterlines can cause the pipes in your home to crack or burst under this pressure and possibly flood your home or business. Pipes that freeze first are usually located near outside walls or in unfinished areas of your home where they can be exposed to the subfreezing temperatures. Outdoor hose bibs, pool lines, indoor and outdoor sprinkler systems, and other supply lines located in crawl spaces, garages, unfinished basements or attics are especially susceptible.    Steps to prevent frozen pipes   Taking action before cold weather sets in can save you thousands of dollars in water damage from broken or burst pipes. Following the steps below will help reduce the chances of having a plumbing emergency during the cold winter months:   Turn off the shut-off valves to all outside hose connections. Be sure to open the valves on the outside to allow all the water to drain out of the pipes. Keep garage doors and basement entries closed tightly if there are any water supply lines or valves in that area. Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors (during the freeze warning) and all other cabinet areas that are located on outside walls. This will allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing keeping pipes above freezing. Protect all exposed water piping. Insulate all areas where water supply lines are unheated. Keep in mind areas with running water outside (fountains, outdoor kitchens etc.), crawl spaces, garages, basements, attics, and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets that are up against an outside wall. Both hot and cold water lines should be insulated in these spaces. A hot water supply line can freeze just as fast as a cold water supply line can freeze if water is not running through the pipe. During frigid cold snaps, do not alternate temperature settings on your thermostat. Keeping your thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night will help to keep pipe temperatures consistent. If leaving for an extended period of time, do not set thermostat below 60 degrees F. If you have water pipes in your attic, open access doors or stairs to allow warm air to circulate into the attic and around the pipes. Don't forget to check and protect your water heater during cold temps. Installing a water heater blanket can protect your water heater and help maintain temperature. NOTE: If the home is vacant or if you are going to be gone for a long period of time, additional steps may be necessary to properly winterize your home.  Check with your local plumber for a thorough evaluation of your home.   What if I experience a broken pipe?   The single most important thing for any homeowner to know is where the main water shut-off valve is located and how to use it. Ensuring each member of your household knows how to turn off the water to your home in the event of a water line break or water heater failure can prevent severe flooding and damage in the event of a critical failure.     A Little Prevention Can Save You Thousands Of Dollars. And That's...  Good To Know! TM

Lake Sidney Lanier Homes is the most comprehensive online source for information on Lake Lanier homes for sale and Lake Lanier area real estate. View the latest Lake Lanier home listings, foreclosures, lots, land, sales trends and real estate topics on Lake Lanier. Arthur Prescott is an Accredited Buyer's Representative and Certified Residential Specialist with over a decade of Lake Lanier real estate experience. If you would like to schedule a free buyer or seller consultation, please feel free to contact us directly at 678-513-2014 or email us at APrescott@PrudentialGeorgia.com.

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