The cold temperatures of the winter months increase the likelihood of pipes freezing. Frozen pipes cause tremendous problems for homeowners including property damage and the inability to access running water. Fixing a frozen pipe can cost you hundreds of dollars, so it’s best to prevent it from happening in the first place. Here are some tips to avoid frozen pipes this winter:
Let Water Drip from Your Faucet
We all know how annoying it can be to hear the constant dripping of water from a faucet, but in the winter this can actually help prevent your pipes from freezing. By allowing cold water to drip through your faucet, it ensures consistent water movement in your home’s pipes and prevents pressure buildup. If there’s no pressure buildup, it’s less likely that the water will freeze, expand, and cause pipe damage.
Don’t Cut Back on the Heat
It’s tempting to lower the temperature at night or even when you go away on vacation to save on your heating bill, but doing this can have unfortunate consequences. If you decide to cut back on the heat when you’re away from your home, you can come back to frozen pipes, and getting them repaired is more costly than what you would be paying for your heating bill. With that being said, the thermostat doesn’t have to be set as high as you would normally keep it. Setting it above 50 degrees is all you need to do to prevent frozen pipes.
Open Cabinet Doors
Pipes are often located in areas that don’t receive much heat, like under sinks and behind kitchen cabinets. To prevent them from freezing, open up bathroom and kitchen cabinets to allow the circulation of warmth inside the house to reach your pipes. Consider doing this when you’re away from your home for long periods of time, or on nights when outdoor temperatures are expected to drop significantly lower than normal.
Add Extra Insulation
Insulation will help keep your pipes and your home warm. Add insulation to your attic, basements, and crawl spaces for long-term prevention of frozen pipes. If you believe that there are pipes in your home that are especially prone to freezing, adding extra insulation such as pipe sleeves gives your pipes extra protection.
Do You Have Frozen Pipes?
If you notice symptoms of a frozen or burst pipe in your home, reach out to Michael Runk Plumbing and Heating to get your plumbing back on track. We understand the inconvenience of frozen pipes, and that’s why we work fast to get the problem resolved. We are available for 24/7 emergency plumbing repair, so contact us now!