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January 2012
Preventing Frozen Pipes: Don’t Leave Yourself in the Cold

As the weather turns cold, homeowners throughout the area are faced with a new threat to their wellbeing: frozen pipes.  Frozen pipes occur when water freezes and expands within pipes, causing them to crack and burst.  A cold winter’s night can result in thousands of dollars of damage, without taking the right precautions.

Here are some tips from Kaiser-Battistone to keeping your pipes in top shape during the coldest of days:

  • On extremely cold days/nights, open cabinets that house pipes, allowing the heat of the room to naturally insulate the pipes
  • Leave taps dripping water to create movement of the water in the pipes
  • Even when away from home, keep the interior temperature at 55 degrees or higher
  • Drain all underground irrigation systems and hoses
  • Protect all exposed pipes, indoor and out, with pipe insulation
  • Protect outdoor faucets with Styrofoam faucet covers or hoods
  • Invest in a heating cable for any piping that is extremely exposed to the elements

If you fear your pipes have frozen, click here to see our tips on what to do to prevent further damage.

 
Is it time to go Tankless?

Did you know that the average lifespan of a Water Heater is only 7 to 10 years, but people will keep using their potentially harmful and costly Water Heater well beyond the years of safety?  Old Water Heaters can leak, accumulate scale, sediment and rust, heat inefficiently costing you hundreds and even reduce the resale value of your home.

When replacing a Water Heater, we recommend Tankless Water Heaters.  Unlike standard Water Heaters, Tankless Water Heaters heat water on-demand instead of storing a limited quantity of heated water throughout the day.  Imagine never taking a cold shower again, even after one of your visiting sister-in-law’s marathon showers!  And that isn’t all.

Tankless Water Heaters have many benefits including:

  • Cleaner Water: No scale, rust or sediment caused by water storage
  • Efficiency: No water unnecessary water storage and re-warming cycle, just hot water when you need it
  • Smaller Spaces: Tankless Water Heaters take up much less space and can even be hung on the wall
  • Reduced Waste: Tankless Water Heater installations will help reduce the 7.3 million traditional tank-type Water Heaters disposed into landfills each year
  • Peace of Mind: Without a tank, there is minimal risk of water damage due to leaks
  • Higher Resale Value: Homes with Tankless Water Heaters statistically sell for higher amounts.  Realtors even note in listings if a home is Tankless

Call today to learn more about the benefits of Tankless Water Heaters and if it is time for you to make the upgrade.