WINTER WORRIES

By Jon Moffett

Experts: Take action to avoid frozen pipes

Beyond fixing pipes, water damage costs can add up as well.

ROGERS — Frozen pipes can land homeowners in hot water.

With the expected January arctic blasts just around the corner, Mahoning Valley residents should prepare to avoid frozen pipes, said Dave Coie, owner and manager of Ace Hardware franchises in Middleton Township and Columbiana.

Pipes exposed to the open air are often the most critical to address and often the most overlooked, Coie said. He said piping underneath mobile homes or houses with crawl spaces are the most susceptible to freezing because of the direct contact with frigid air.

“For any unheated area of your home, you’ve got to do something,” Coie said. “Otherwise, you could end up with a lot of problems.”

For those pipes, Coie recommends “heat tape” to prevent freezing. The tape is place horizontally on the pipe, and a built-in sensor and thermostat regulate the temperature of the pipes. The price of the tape ranges from $28.99 to $42.99.

Coie said even unexposed pipes could be susceptible to freezing. Pipes that lead into the home from outdoors should be insulated, and other pipes should be monitored, he said. He suggested insulating foam to put around the pipes or insulating tape to keep them as protected as possible from low temperatures. One economical option is a roll of Ace Anti-Corrosion Pipe Wrap, which costs $10.49 for a 36-yard roll, according to Ace Hardware’s Web site. Insulating foam can be purchased in bulk.

The price is worth it, Coie added.

“It’s not going to be nearly as expensive as repairs would be” if a pipe were to burst, he said.

John Russell , owner of John’s Plumbing in Youngstown, offered a more economical solution for kitchen and bathroom plumbing.

He suggested keeping cabinet doors open in order to “help circulate the hot air” to the pipes.

Despite differing opinions and tips, all agreed preventing frozen pipes is crucial.

Mike Hubbs, an employee of the Ace Hardware in Ellsworth, said the cost of water damage can add up quickly.

“Once a pipe breaks, there is going to be more damage than just fixing it,” he said. “You have drywall, you can have flooring and carpeting, and you can get mold. It’s kind of unlimited as to what water damage can do. ... Water damage is going to be your most expensive thing.”

Coie said insulating pipes isn’t something to consider only during the winter. He suggested insulating hot water pipes could save homeowners money on energy costs.

“By insulating your hot water pipes, it keeps the water from cooling down, so it saves money and energy.”

jmoffett@vindy.com