Winter Risk!

When temperatures dip below freezing and cold air blows into the building, plumbing on the exterior walls are susceptible to freezing and bursting.

The name of the game is to keep plumbing and walls warm.

1) Exterior – Seal all cracks, holes, windows, doors and other openings on exterior walls with caulk or insulation to prevent cold air from penetrating wall cavity.

2) Interior – Insulate and seal attic penetrations such as partition walls, vents, plumbing stacks, and electric and mechanical chases.

3) Relieve Pipe Pressure – Allow faucets to drip during extreme cold weather to prevent freezing of the water inside the pipe, and if freezing does occur, to relieve pressure buildup in the pipes between the ice blockage and faucet.

4) Keep the Building Warm – Install a monitoring system that provides notifications if the building’s temperature dips below a pre-determined number. If you’re working with glass, here are some factors that help suction cups to stick.

5) Insulate Vulnerable Pipes – Insulate pipes most vulnerable to freezing by using pipe insulation.

6) Monitor Fire Protection Sprinkler Systems – Monitor by using a central station to provide early detection of a pipe failure and heat unheated sprinkler control rooms.

7) Install Backup Power – Provide a reliable backup power source to ensure heat to the building.