What Should I Do If My Pipes Are Frozen?

The weatherman has warned you that a cold front is barreling its way into your local area. You go to sleep the night before with extra covers on the bed and the thermal blanket set to "high". When you awake in the morning, it takes all of your determination to crawl from between the warm covers to start your day. As you step to the sink and turn the faucet on, nothing happens. Oh no! You forgot to leave the water trickling over night. Obviously, water has frozen in the pipes. Thankfully, you look around everywhere in the house and you see no evidence of a water leak. You may assume that the only tragedy is that you'll have to go to work without a shower, but think again.

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Georgia Winter Weather Awareness Week: December 6-10, 2010

Winter storms are considered “deceptive killers” because most deaths are indirectly related to the storm. Seventy percent of fatalities related to ice and snow occur in automobiles, and approximately twenty-five percent of all winter-related fatalities are people caught off-guard in the storm. Prolonged exposure to extreme cold can cause frostbite or hypothermia. Powerful winter storms can also have thunderstorms associated with them. These storms can dump as much as three inches of snow or one inch of ice in an hour.  So how can you prepare for winter weather? Here are a few tips.

• Monitor radio/TV or NOAA Weather Radio.


• Stay inside. Long exposure to cold increases the risk of frostbite or hypothermia.


• If you must go out, dress in layers.


• Avoid overexertion. The strain from the cold may cause a heart attack and sweating could lead to a chill and hypothermia.


• Keep your gas tank at least half full.


• Drive with caution and carry a disaster supplies kit in your trunk.


• Have an alternative emergency heating source, such as a fireplace or wood stove. Use appropriate safeguards and have proper ventilation.


• Make sure your home is properly insulated.


• To keep pipes from freezing, wrap pipes in insulation or layers of old newspapers, cover the newspapers with plastic to keep out moisture, let faucets drip a little to avoid freezing, and know how to shut off water valves.

TEAM WORK!!

Wow! What a couple of weeks it has been.

With the cold weather bringing a rash of broken pipes, so sorry fo those who have been effected, we have been UBER busy.(I got that from my boys) But just as it always seems to be, THE TEAM has banded together and rose to the challenge. I know that I should have some profound statement to make or provide you with a super link of some sort but I find that we are still fairly "UBER" busy. I just wanted to say that I am proud to be involved in something that can bring relief to those who really need it, at a time they really need it. Even among the organized chaos all display a courteous, sympathetic and professional approach. And with this being said with all sincerity from the inside of the operation. If your reading this from the outside of the operation, you can have the utmost confidence that you will be well cared for as a client should you choose us.

Peter Kanavas - Contents Manager

Prepare for Cold Weather

Heavy snowfall and extreme cold can immobilize an entire region. Even areas that normally experience mild winters can be hit with a major snowstorm or extreme cold. Winter storms can result in flooding, storm surge, closed highways, blocked roads, downed power lines and hypothermia.

How can you prepare your home and family?

Prepare for possible isolation in your home by having sufficient heating fuel; regular fuel sources may be cut off. For example, store a good supply of dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace or wood-burning stove.

Winterize your home to extend the life of your fuel supply by insulating walls and attics, caulking and weather-stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows or covering windows with plastic.

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Ice Cold Trivia

1. TRUE OR FALSE: You have to use the bathroom more when you are cold?

The answer is TRUE. When you're exposed to cold weather, your blood vessels constrict, and the flow of blood to the skin is reduced, resulting in an overall slowdown of the circulatory system and a rise in blood pressure. To reduce this pressure, the body wants to get rid of as much fluid as possible through urine production. This phenomenon, known in medical terms as cold dieresis, explains why you may have to visit the bathroom more often when it's cold.

2. What are cold water swimming organizations known as in the United States and Canada?

A. Eskimo Clubs
B. Walrus clubs
C. Ice Swimming Clubs
D. Polar Bear Clubs

The answer is D. Polar Bear Clubs

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FREEZE ALERT!

This week we are expecting the coldest weather in 7 years. With the combination of the cold weather and high winds, many of our clients may experience water damage from frozen pipes.

If you experience a water damage at your home or business, please call Champion for immediate response 24/7.

We have over 1000 pieces of drying equipment and 25 crews available. 

We also offer many valuable resources in our information center on our blog.

Champion's Information Center

As always, the Champion team is committed to doing everything in our power to continue to provide outstanding service to our clients during this year's winter freeze season. If you have any questions please feel free to call our office at
770-253-6070.

 Click Here to Report Water Damage and Have Crews Dispatched Immediately!

Frozen Pipes - Prevention and Thawing

The cold temperatures of winter bring with them the chilly fun of snowmen and sledding, but they also bring the danger of frozen pipes. When it's cold outside, it's important to take preventative measures to keep your pipes from freezing. And, if they've frozen already, you need to get them thawed quickly, before they burst and ruin your wintry fun!

Especially if you have outside pipes, plumbing located in external walls, or pipes in unheated spaces, you need to be extra careful. Several simple steps can help prevent frozen pipes. First, if you have vulnerable plumbing, just leave the faucet dripping at a slight trickle. The moving water won't be able to freeze solid, negating the danger of burst pipes.

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Get Ready for Winter Advisories & Ice Storms

Temperatures are barely predicted to rise aboving freezing all week which could mean several hazards across the state.  FEMA and Ready GA are encouraging everyone to be prepared for this winter weather.  These tips are from www.ready.ga.gov and we hope they are useful to all of you.

Prepare for Winter Weather

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"Baby It's Cold Inside"

With temperatures plummeting here in Georgia this week, a safe warm home to come home to is on everyone's mind. But if your first comment as you walk in the door is, "Baby, it's cold inside!", you may decide to add a space heater or use your fireplace to toast your cold toes. But here are a few tips from the National Fire Protection Association on using auxillary home heating equipment.

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National Preparedness Month - September 2009

This September is the sixth annual National Preparedness Month.  NPM 2009 will focus on changing perceptions about emergency preparedness and will help Americans understand what it truly means to be ready and how preparedness goes beyond fire alarms, smoke detectors, and extra food in the pantry.

Visit www.ready.gov for help on making a disaster supply kit, making a family emergency plan, staying informed and how you can get involved!

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