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How to Prevent & Repair Frozen Pipes at Your Business

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A frozen pipe on the brick wall of a business showing the need for plumbing winterization in Alabama.

As much as Northerners like to tease Alabama for our reaction to winter weather, January often brings arctic blasts that would make anyone shiver. While we may not have to brace for extended cold periods, business owners still need to take proactive steps to prepare for the cold that does come. This includes winterizing their properties’ plumbing systems to prevent frozen pipes.

With the average low temperature in Birmingham in January being 32 degrees, frozen pipes are a risk that local businesses need to take seriously. That’s why the team at Royal Restoration is here to share steps for preparing your commercial property for winter.

How to Prepare Your Commercial Property’s Pipes for Winter

As a business owner, you know that you need to maintain your commercial property’s plumbing system to keep it in good working order, especially as the weather gets colder. At or below 32°, even the heaviest-duty pipes are at risk of freezing.

This, in turn, can lead to burst pipes and water damage to your commercial property. You may even lose business as you may need to take time off to clean up. However, there are steps you can take to prepare your pipes for any further polar surprises that could come our way before winter is over.

1. Insulating Your Building & Its Pipes

Most pipes are located in a building’s basement. Sealing holes or cracks with expandable foam can keep cold air out and warm air in, protecting your pipes from the cold. This also improves your bottom line by lowering your energy bills.

If you have piping in an unheated area, like a garage if you own an auto repair shop, cover them with insulation. This type of insulation is easily installed as it is just a foam cover. This helps to prevent both heat loss and damage from frozen pipes.

2. Maintain Your Sprinklers

Most commercial properties have some kind of sprinkler system for fire protection purposes. While you may not think to winterize this part of your plumbing system, it’s essential to do so to prevent freezing and ensure functionality in case of a fire. Along with having your fire suppression systems professionally inspected regularly, consider equipping them with necessary freeze protection measures, like heat tape.

3. Disconnect Outdoor Hoses & Faucets

An outdoor faucet provides convenient ways to keep your commercial property more attractive to prospective customers. From washing outdoor patio furniture at a restaurant to watering flowers near your office entryway, this part of your plumbing system can handle it all. However, it can also put you at risk of frozen pipes.

If you have a hose attached to your commercial property’s outdoor faucet, you can take the following steps to protect it from the cold:

  • Removal – Remove the hose from the faucet
  • Drainage – Drain any water from the hose
  • Storage – Store it indoors for the winter months

Then, shut off the faucet. To do this, open the faucet and the bleeder cap on the shutoff valve to drain the pipes. Once the pipes are drained, shut both the faucet and valve. This prevents ice buildup, which could damage the faucet. For extra protection, install an insulated cover on your outdoor faucet as this slows heat loss from the pipe.

4. Install Heat Cables on Your Pipes

If you have pipes on an outdoor wall, heat cables can be an effective way to prevent them from freezing. They turn on and off as needed to heat the pipe using a thermostat that senses their temperature. That said, you will need an outlet to plug the cables into, so be mindful of this before pursuing this option.

5. Shut Off The Water For Your Seasonal Business

If your business is seasonal, like a campground or resort, turn the water off at the main shutoff at the end of the season. If frozen pipes break while you are away, you’ll have less water damage to both your property once you return.

6. Maintain the Indoor Temperature of Your Business

As a business owner, you want to make your customers and employees as comfortable as possible. Even after-hours, however, you’ll want to keep the plumbing comfortable, too. One way you do this is by setting the thermostat at a desirable temperature. This also helps to keep your pipes from freezing, as it is recommended you keep your indoor temperature at around 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

What to Do If Your Commercial Property’s Pipes Freeze

If you arrive at your place of business and find that you cannot get water from your faucet or see visible frost on your pipes, they are most likely frozen. In this situation, count on Royal Restoration to help you step out of the deep freeze in confidence. While you may feel comfortable thawing your own pipes, not doing so correctly can further damage your plumbing and your business as a whole.

Our professionals are highly trained and well-equipped to safely thaw your pipes. If water damage has occurred from a broken pipe, we can help with that, too. Using special equipment and techniques, we can dry the affected area and prevent mold growth. We are available 24/7, so you can get the help you need when you need it.

Does Insurance Cover Frozen Pipes?

We wish we had a one-size-fits-all answer here, but it really does depend on your coverage. Some business insurance policies cover the water damage caused by frozen pipes, but not the cost of fixing the plumbing. Others cover both, while some may not cover either.

At Royal Restoration, we know how the small details can make or break an insurance claim—and how huge of an impact their decision can have on the business you’ve worked so hard to build. We’re more than happy to work with you to document damages and support your claim. Anything we can do to support you as you navigate the aftermath of water damage with your insurance carrier, we will do.

Winterize Your Pipes in Alabama With Royal Restoration

Preparing your commercial property’s pipes for winter involves a lot of work. If you’re unsure where to start, contact Royal Restoration. Understanding the challenges presented by Alabama’s unique and often fickle climate, we can advise you on preparing your business to face these cold weather challenges.

When winter weather does strike, call us anytime, day or night, at 205-988-9696 for fast, effective storm damage repair. From board-up services to flood clean-up, we can handle any task nature throws our way. It’s part of our commitment to serving businesses of all sizes in our community and beyond.

Prepare Your Pipes for Winter in Alabama With Royal Restoration

If you need help preparing your commercial property’s pipes for winter, don’t worry. Hiring a professional at Royal Restoration in Birmingham, AL, can help to safeguard your business and its bottom line from winter storm damage. We can provide expert advice on effectively winterizing your commercial property’s pipes. Contact us online or at 205-988-9696 today to get started.

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