When February blows freezing temperatures, the two most common risks to your home are ice dams and frozen pipes. Keep gutters and downspouts clear of debris, snow, and ice so melting roof snow can flow.
Ice dams occur when heavy snow buildup melts during the day, then refreezes as temperatures drop overnight. After several days of this cycle, the melted water and ice work up under the shingles, entering the attic and damaging ceilings, walls, and contents. To help prevent dams from forming:
- Keep gutters and downspouts clear of debris, snow, and ice so melting roof snow can flow.
- Keep snow on your roof to a minimum. Roof rakes let you stand on the ground to safely pull the snow off the roof.
- Evaluate attic insulation and ventilation. Good airflow is essential to a cool, dry attic.
Frozen water pipes can cause extensive home damage. If you think turning the heat down while you’re away or on vacation will save you money, think again. If your water pipes freeze and burst, it could cause thousands of dollars in damage.
Home owners can take some simple preventive measures:
- Locate and insulate pipes susceptible to freezing — typically near outer walls, in crawl spaces, or in the attic.
- Wrap pipes with UL-approved heat tape and seal air leaks.
- Disconnect garden hoses. Shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets.
- Drain and shut off the water supply (except indoor sprinkler systems) if you expect to be away for several days.
- Have someone check regularly to ensure the heat is still on and things are OK.
- Make sure you and your family know how to shut off the water to your home.
If you do discover frozen pipes:
- Never try to thaw a pipe with an open flame or torch.
- If pipes burst, stop the flow of water as soon as possible to minimize damage.
- Be mindful of the risk of electric shock in and around standing water.
- Call a plumber and contact your insurance agent right away.
Wakati wa Februari, joto la chini ya kiwango cha baridi kali, hatari mbili za kawaida kwa nyumba yako ni mabwawa ya barafu na mabomba yaliyohifadhiwa. Weka mitaro na mifereji ya maji mbali na mabaki, theluji, na barafu ili theluji inayeyuka ya paa iweze kutiririka. Mabwawa ya barafu hutokea wakati theluji nyingi inapochomeka wakati wa mchana, kisha hupata baridi tena wakati joto linapopungua usiku kucha. Baada ya siku kadhaa za mzunguko huo, maji na barafu iliyoyeyuka huingia chini ya mbao, na kuingia kwenye ghorofa ya juu na kuharibu dari, kuta, na vitu vilivyo ndani. Ili kuzuia mabwawa yasijitokeze: - Weka mitaro na mifereji ya maji isiyo na mabaki, theluji, na barafu ili theluji inayeyuka ya paa iweze kutiririka. - Weka theluji kwenye paa lako kwa kiwango cha chini. Vipuli vya paa hukuruhusu kusimama ardhini ili kuvuta theluji kutoka kwenye paa kwa usalama. - Tathmini insulation attic na uingizaji hewa. Mtiririko mzuri wa hewa ni muhimu kwa ghorofa ya juu yenye baridi na kavu. Mabomba ya maji yaliyohifadhiwa yanaweza kuharibu sana nyumba. Ikiwa unafikiri kupunguza joto unapokuwa mbali au likizo kutakuokoa pesa, fikiria tena. Mabomba ya maji yanapoganda na kuvunjika, huenda yakaharibu nyumba yako kwa gharama kubwa. Wamiliki wa nyumba wanaweza kuchukua hatua chache rahisi za kuzuia: - Kupata na kutenganisha mabomba yanayoweza kuhifadhiwa <unk> kwa kawaida karibu na kuta za nje, katika nafasi za kutambaa, au katika ghorofa ya juu. - Wrap mabomba na UL-kubaliwa joto mkanda na kufunga hewa kuvuja. - Ondoa mifereji ya bustani. Funga na kuteleza maji kutoka kwenye mabomba yanayoelekea kwenye mabomba ya nje. -Drain na kufunga usambazaji wa maji (isipokuwa mifumo ya sprinkler ya ndani) kama unatarajia kuwa mbali kwa siku kadhaa. - Msaada wa kawaida wa kuimarisha joto la nyumba yako na kuhakikisha kwamba wewe na familia yako mnajua jinsi ya kuzima maji ya nyumba yako. Ikiwa utagundua mabomba yaliyohifadhiwa: - Usijaribu kamwe kuyeyuka mabomba kwa moto ulio wazi au tochi. - Ikiwa mabomba yanavunjika, acha mtiririko wa maji upesi iwezekanavyo ili kupunguza uharibifu. - Jihadharini na hatari ya mshtuko wa umeme ndani na karibu na maji yaliyosimama. - Piga simu fundi wa mabomba na uwasiliane na wakala wako wa bima mara moja.