How To Prevent Frozen Pipes This Winter

Published On: November 29, 2016Categories: Plumbing

Keeping the pipes that supply water to your home should be a top priority during this or any other winter. The main issue with frozen pipes is that once the water inside freezes it will start to expand which can rupture the pipe. Ruptured pipes can lead to water pouring out uncontrollably which can do a number on your home, and your water bills this winter. Here are five ways to keep pipes from freezing and causing all sorts of damage.

Cover Outdoor Faucets

If you had been using a hose to keep your lawn and garden growing during the summer, it needs to be disconnected immediately and the faucet needs to be covered up. Not taking these precautions can cause leftover water to freeze, and allow in new moisture and snow throughout the winter, leading to freezing. Securing pipes that lead outdoors is imperative to keeping the rest of your system running smoothly.

Open Cabinets

If you have a sink in the house, chances are there is some form of cabinet just beneath it. Keeping these doors open when it’s cold allows warm air to circulate underneath the sink. If warm air is prevented from entering beneath the sink, then the pipes can freeze. This can be foreshadowed by a slow flow of water out of the faucet.

Insulation

This goes for your home as well as the pipes. Make sure that exterior walls are properly insulated and weather-guard your windows. Pipes that are in basements, attics, crawl spaces, any other unheated part of the home, and pipes running along exterior walls should be wrapped in insulation. This method needs to be used in addition to other pipe-freezing-prevention plans because insulation will not warm your pipes: it will only slow down the freezing process.

Set the thermostat

Winter is not the time to be stingy with the thermostat. These should be set to at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter to keep enough warm air circulating throughout the home to keep pipes from freezing. This is especially important if you plan on being a way for an extended amount of time, so that you don’t come home from your Christmas vacation to a waterlogged house.

Close the windows

This is especially important for windows that are near water pipes. Pipes already have a high chance of freezing because of the low and or freezing outdoor temperatures. When drafts get added into the equation it can equal much more frequent freezing or even a possible need for repairs.

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