Also Read Property Manager Tips On Helping Your Tenants Survive a Winter Snowstorm
It’s that time of the year, that pipes can freeze; and if you are a property owner or a property manager, you should know what to do when water pipes freeze. Frozen pipes not only stop tenants from having water for cooking, showers, wash and use of their toilets - frozen pipes can cause thousands of dollars in damage if the burst as ice expands. These quick tips can get your water flowing quickly and get your rental property and tenants back in business.
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- Not all pipes freeze at the same spot: the fact that a particular pipe has not been freezing for a while does not necessarily mean it will not freeze this time around, especially if it has been a cold week.
- A hair dryer will not always solve the problem: It might be a good place to start from, but sometimes the pipe might be too frozen, rendering this strategy ineffective.
- Pipes frozen behind walls are the biggest challenge: Unlike exposed pipes, it is not easy to treat frozen pipes located behind walls. You might need to crank up the heat to make the room warmer. And unless you want to start drilling holes through the walls, you might need to employ the services of a plumber.
- Hire a plumber equipped with a thaw machine: Thaw machines can be used to shoot electricity through the frozen pipes to help melt blockages in a matter of minutes - a lot of plumbers own this particular equipment.
- Prevent pipe re-freezing by running the water: This is not an old wives tale, it actually works! The best way to stop your pipes from freezing during cold spells is to let the faucets drip.
If you’re finding it difficult to handle your maintenance issues this winter, you might need to employ the services of a property manager for expert advice.
