Devices in extreme cold often behave differently. Plumbing pipes can freeze up creating all sorts of issues for homeowners, renters and landlords alike.
Joe Chichilitti, who owns Langhorne-based Chic’s Plumbing & Heating, said that earlier in the month for about 2 weeks he received calls from customers about frozen pipes.
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“Let the house faucets run a little, or even let them drip for while,” Chichilitti said, offering his best advice. He added this should prevent problems for pipes especially if power is lost.
Chichilitti said the public could go and purchase orange colored anti- freeze and pour the liquid into drains and toilets as a added measure to prevent pipes from freezing.
Milt Warrell of J and M Warrell Inc., which serves Lower Bucks and surrounding areas as a contractor and provider of heating and plumbing service, added that there is a an electrical sleeve that can be plugged in which warms pipes and can be purchased at Home Depot.
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Warrell and Chichilitti also said that prior to frigid cold arriving pipe sleeves could be purchased too to keep pipes warm prior to frigid temperatures setting in.
Jim Maze of Levittown-based CPR Cell Phone Repair said frigid weather does effect cell phone and or mobile device performance.
According to Apple and Samsung, Maze said, the thresholds for maximum operability ranges. Apple has stated that iPhone generations 4 and higher, should only be used between 32-95 degrees Fahrenheit. While Samsung phones are guaranteed to operate within temperatures of -4 to 122 Fahrenheit. Both Apple and Samsung have also stated that external condition damage to their phones is not covered under warranty.
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Maze explained what happens when our phones are exposed to extreme weather conditions.
When exposed to cold weather, phones experience rapid battery loss, LCD screen issues, and some even shut off until they were exposed to room temperature conditions, he said, citing recent data.
“It’s important to keep your smartphone bundled up,” Maze said, adding that “inside a jacket and or close to the body works.”
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To protect your phone, Maze provided the following tips from CPR Cell Phone Repair:
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Before going out, have your phone fully charged. In colder weather, it’s been proven that your battery life tends to decrease, even if it’s not actively being used. You can protect this by easily having a case, or keeping your phone as close to your body as possible.
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When you’re on the go, keep your phone in an inside coat pocket or bag. Cold weather causes phone screens to become more sensitive and more susceptible to cracking. In fact, users may even experience delayed response in your touchscreens due to the weather as well.
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Limit the amount of time you spend on your phone. Excessive exposure can cause condensation that damages your phone’s screen.
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If your phone is suffering from water damage, say from being dropped in the snow, the safest thing to do is remove the battery if possible. If not, turn it off and do not turn it on again until your are confident that it is thoroughly dried out on the inside. Without the right tools, this process can take days depending on how wet it got. Once you are sure that it is completely dry you can see if the phone works properly:
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Test the speakers
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Check the screen
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See if there’s a delayed response in activity
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In the event that your phone does shut down from the cold, not water, do not restart it until you’re inside and give time for your phone to warm up. Restarting your phone immediately could actually cause more harm to your phone and actually shorten your battery life. Also, just like your glasses fog up when coming in from the cold, the inside of your phone can too. Give it time to warm up and dry out.
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Lastly, accessorize! Invest in external battery options if you’re constantly on the go and tech savvy items to keep you and your phone warm!
Most importantly, if you are worried that any damages have been made, take it to a local cell phone repair professional,Maze said.
All in all, cold effects us in many ways.
