Prevent your pipes from freezing

All in all, we’ve been very lucky so far this winter – the weather has been relatively mild. It’s definitely a welcome change to what we experienced here in Central Ohio last year. This week, however, things are going to change – we’re due to have a cold snap. It’s the perfect time to remind you of some precautions you can take to prevent your pipes from freezing.

• Keep your thermostat set no lower than 55 degrees – even if you’re traveling this winter and won’t be home. The money you’ll spend heating your empty house is still much less than the money you would spend fixing a broken pipe and the resulting water damage.
• Let your faucets drip, whenever temperatures drop below 20 degrees for an extended period of time. This is particularly important with a faucet that runs near an outside wall. Dripping water helps to relieve built up pressure which can prevent a break.
• Leave your cabinet doors open. This allows warm air from your house to circulate around the pipes. Again, this is most important for pipes that touch exterior walls.
• Know where your water shut-off valve is. Locate your water shut-off valve so that you can quickly turn your water off in an emergency if a pipe breaks.

If you do suspect you have a broken pipe, give us a call. We’re here to help 24/7/365. Stay warm!