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How to Avoid Burst Pipes

On Wednesday, December 10, 2008 a sprinkler pipe burst on the third floor of Morris’ John Q. Imholte Hall at the University of Minnesota. This caused major flooding in the three story building, which houses faculty offices, two computer labs and a dozen classrooms. The water caused over a million dollars in damages. Frozen water in the sprinkler pipes was the determined to be the cause.

Precautions

This accident could have been prevented by taking several precautions. First of all, make certain to keep the area that pipes are in at a temperature of 65 degrees or above. If this is not possible, the pipes should be wrapped with electric heat tape to keep them well insulated in very cold weather. Another trick is to leave the water running at a trickle, because moving water will not freeze. If the pipes run up the outside of the building, they can be wrapped in insulating tape as well.

Frozen Water

If you suspect that water has frozen in a pipe, turn on the faucet to relieve the pressure, then slowly warm the pipe with a hair dryer, electric heating pad or space heater. As the water thaws, it will have a place to go. Apply heat until the full pressure of water is restored. If you cannot find where the pipes are frozen, call a plumber to thaw your pipes.

Flood Damage

Even though preventative measures should be implemented, if you have fallen victim to flood damage like Imholte Hall, it's obvious how important and beneficial flood insurance is. Find out what kind of policy is most appropriate for you and your family. It's better to be safe than sorry.