The Polar Vortex is back and it looks like it’s here to stay

2/8/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Dane County West is Here to Help® for water damage from frozen and burst pipes. Call us at (608)-497-3331. www.SERVPROdanecountywest.com

A blast of Arctic air from Canada has ushered in the winter season's coldest air 

According to CBC News, this push of Arctic air is due to a rather convoluted pattern across the Arctic and Polar Regions, which started to evolve in early January. At that time, a phenomenon known as Sudden Stratospheric Warming took place high above the North Pole in which the temperatures 50,000 to 100,000 feet above the ground spiked 100 degrees Fahrenheit in a few days. This is a natural occurrence that happens, on average, every couple of years.

On Monday, a small portion of the cold air mass will slip eastward, bringing colder air to the Northeast with wind chills in the single digits. But the bulk of the arctic air will remain in the Midwest. Here in the Dane County, Madison, WI area, we will see temperatures below zero for many days this week.

Cold conditions of this magnitude can also lead to other issues such as freezing & bursting pipes that can cause water damage. Pipes can freeze and eventually burst in below-freezing temperatures. Water has a unique property of expanding as it freezes that can cause pipes to crack and then burst. The ensuing rush of water can cause considerable damage to your property if not addressed quickly.

To prevent pipes from freezing, here are a few steps you can take.

• Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature during day and night.
• Insulate pipes in attic & crawl spaces.
• Seal leaks that allow cold air inside near where pipes are located.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to let warmer air circulate the plumbing. (If you have small children, be sure to remove any harmful cleaners and household chemicals.)
• Let the cold water drip from a faucet served by exposed pipes (think basement utility sinks or laundry sinks). Running water through the pipe, even at a trickle, can help prevent pipes from freezing.
• Keep garage doors closed, especially if there are water supply lines in the garage. Consider some insulation around the windows and doors to help.

If winter weather strikes your business or home with water or fire damage, let us help strike back! Equipped with the training, tools, and experience to quickly and efficiently mitigate water or fire damage and restore your home or business, SERVPRO of Dane County West will help make it "Like it never even happened."®

Video - Steps you can take to prevent pipes from freezing & bursting

Have A Water Damage Emergency? Call SERVPRO of Dane County West (608) 497-3331

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• General Contractor License #: 1317784

SERVPRO of Dane County West is Here to Help® for water & fire damage, mold remediation, COVID-19 disinfection, biohazard, and rebuild. Call us at (608) 497-3331