SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – The winter freeze has thawed, but home inspectors say the freeze could have left lasting effects on homes.
After a freeze, it is vital to check if your home has been affected by the ice and freezing temperatures.
“When you get really cold weather down to the teens or single digits, you have that possibility of water pipes freezing and bursting in your attic, so I would recommend you check that out,” said Robert Cross, a home inspector.
Cross says even though this freeze wasn’t as bad as the freeze in 2021 there are still some ways the inclement weather can affect homes.
“Once you get above that freezing temperature, you want to remove those covers off your faucets and open your faucet and make sure water is draining out.” said Cross.” ” You don’t want to leave outside pipes dripping in frozen weather. You want to do that inside. You just want to keep them covered real good like this.”
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Cross also advises to inspect exterior and interior walls, baseboards, and stub floors near faucets for any water flow or water leaking.
“You can walk around your house and look at your slab, especially around water hose faucets.” said Cross.” if you see water running over the slab, like under your brick veneer wall where it meets the slab. If you see water running down over that slab, you know you’ve got a pipe leak you’ve got a pipe burst”
Cross advises people to gradually heat frozen valves with items like hair dryers until the valve can open and flow water
“If your water’s not draining out of your faucets after a freeze, you know your piping is more than likely frozen. You don’t want to get a blow towards something like that,” said Cross.
Cross said many people do not properly insulate water supplies — or know that pipes in an attic should also be insulated. He says people should check in their attics to see if their roof was impacted by icy weather.
“You get a lot of ice cover and packing on your roof shingles. You can go up into your attic and look at your roof decking. If you see water stains especially fresh, wet water stains. You know you’ve got some problems with your room”
Scott, lastly, advises how to continue protecting your home throughout the rest of the winter
“You don’t want to leave outside pipes dripping in frozen weather. You want to do that inside. You just want to keep them covered real good “
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