For a lot of us out there, the Winter season’s cold weather is still in full swing. And not only can cold temperatures be extremely annoying, but they can be damaging to your home and its important inner workings as well.
According to State Farm, approximately a quarter-million families are affected by frozen pipes and the resulting damage each winter. And from flooding and molding to severe structural damage and loss of possessions, there’s a lot to avoid while keeping pipes from freezing.
To protect your home, no matter where you live, follow these simple tips and tricks on how to prevent your pipes from freezing!
Insulate to Keep Pipes from Freezing
No matter whether you live in a cold climate or not, it’s better to be safe than sorry. That’s why thinking ahead and preparing before a freeze is something to keep in mind. You can take action by adding a bit of insulation around pipes, whether it be insulated heat tape, warming cables, or heating pads. You can also beef up the insulation all around the room your pipes are located in for extra protection from outside elements.
Keep Doors Closed
Remembering to shut your exterior outdoors is another easy step you can take against freezing pipes. Even if you don’t think you live in a state with cold enough weather, temperatures have the ability to drop enough to freeze pipes, especially at night. By closing any openings that lead to the outdoors when you’re not using them, you can prolong the life of your pipes for years.
Let Faucets Drip
While it may seem counterproductive at first, letting your faucets run even just a constant trickle of water can help prevent pipes from freezing over completely. Doing this overnight on evenings with freezing temperatures is also important. According to State Farm, all it takes is a 1/8-inch crack in a pipe to spew up to 250 gallons of water a day. Meaning that in an instant, your home could flood due to something unseen – and preventable. A small trickle of water can keep any ice from forming on the exterior of the pipes and prevent detrimental cracking from occurring.
Unhook Hoses
When the weather forecast starts including lower temperatures, you can also remove all outdoor hoses from their spigots. And if possible, shutting off water flow to outdoor faucets may help even further in the long run. This can help colder temps and freeze on pipes from spreading into your internal lines.
Don’t Touch the Thermostat
We know it can get pretty cold, but keeping your thermostat at a consistent temperature no matter the time of day can drastically help ward off freezing pipes. By not changing the temperature once you’ve found a comfortable one, pipes stay at a constant temperature as well. This helps better avoid freezing as temperatures fluctuate around them. Consumer Reports also recommends leaving your thermostat above 55 degrees Fahrenheit, even if you’re planning to be away from home for an extended period of time. This keeps pipes from freezing and protects them even when you’re gone.
Beat the Cold with B&D
We couldn’t leave out the most important step when it comes to preventing freezing pipes: working with B&D! Our experts, paired with our services, ensure that your entire plumbing system is running smoothly and efficiently for a long time.
From preventative maintenance and repair to repiping after damage, we can help you every step of the way; and we’re available 24/7. Our commitment is to provide exceptional services. Contact us today to learn more.
