How to Prevent Your Pipes from Freezing
With the winter months upon us, knowing how to prevent your pipes from freezing is important. When pipes freeze, the pressure of the expansion can cause pipes to burst, potentially leading to serious flooding. Damages can run into the thousands of dollars. The best way to avoid frozen pipes is to make sure you keep them from freezing in the first place.
Steps you can take to prevent your pipes from freezing
Insulate Pipes
The pipes most at risk are those in unheated spaces, like basements, attics and garages. Pipe insulation is not expensive, and certainly is worth the cost when you consider the damage to property and repair costs of a burst pipe! You might also want to consider adding insulation to your attic, basement and crawl spaces, and sealing cracks and openings around windows and doors as well, to keep temperatures warmer in those areas.
Keep Your Garage Doors Closed in Colder Months
Most garages are built with lots of concrete, which keeps that space cooler. Let in frigid air, and your garage is now exposed to freezing temperatures. If you have water supply lines in the garage, it’s especially important to keep your garage doors closed when the temperatures are frigid outside!
Keep the Temperature in Your Home Consistent
Keep your thermometer at a steady temperature, both day and night. Keeping interior doors open is also a good way to keep your home a consistent temperature. And if you’re going to be away, make sure your thermostat stays at 55 degrees or above.
Open Cabinets, Especially Those on Exterior Walls
If you have a kitchen or bathroom sink that is on an exterior wall, open the cabinet doors when it’s really cold. That will allow the warmer air in your home to circulate around the pipes. If you’re expecting a big drop in temperatures overnight, open the cabinet doors before you go to bed. (Please remember if you are keeping cleaning supplies in those cabinets and have small children or pets, its best to find another home for those supplies before leaving the cabinet open.)
Let Your Faucet Drip
If you have a faucet that has exposed pipes, let those faucets drip or run to a trickle during frigid temperatures. This includes both the hot and cold water lines if both pipes are exposed. Running water doesn’t freeze, and it will help prevent ice blockages as well as relieve pressure buildups, which helps keep pipes from bursting.
what to do if your pipes freeze
Shut off your main water supply. Everyone living in your home should know where the main water shut off valve is. If a pipe bursts in your house, the sooner you shut off your water, the less damage that will be done.
Being proactive before frigid temperatures hit can save you thousands in property damage and repair costs!
other articles you might be interested in
Nicholas / Tobin Insurance, located in New Milford, Connecticut, provides its clients the highest quality insurance products and services available today to protect them, their families, and businesses. We offer homeowners insurance, renter’s insurance, car insurance, business insurance, travel insurance and more! Our commitment to service means our team of licensed insurance professionals is here to help with simple policy questions, consult with you to determine appropriate coverages and be available 24/7 when trouble strikes, and you need assistance managing through the claim process.
