As the winter chill sets in, protecting your home’s plumbing from freezing temperatures becomes paramount. Frozen pipes pose a serious risk, potentially leading to costly damages and inconvenient disruptions.
Here are tips we share with our clients on how to safeguard pipes and keep the water flowing smoothly during these frigid temperatures.
1. Insulate Exposed Pipes: Start by insulating exposed pipes in unheated areas such as basements, attics, and crawl spaces. Utilize pipe sleeves or heat tape to add an extra layer of insulation, preventing them from reaching freezing temperatures.
2. Seal Cracks and Gaps: Inspect your home for any cracks or gaps that allow cold air to penetrate. Seal these openings with caulk or insulation to maintain a warmer environment around the pipes.
3. Keep Interior Spaces Warm: Ensure that interior spaces, especially those with plumbing, are adequately heated. Maintain a consistent temperature, even if you’re away, to prevent drastic drops that could lead to frozen pipes.
4. Let Faucets Drip: On extremely cold nights, allow faucets to drip slightly. This helps relieve pressure in the pipes, reducing the likelihood of freezing.
5. Disconnect and Drain Outdoor Hoses: Disconnect and drain water from outdoor hoses to prevent any residual water from freezing and damaging the connected pipes.
6. Open Cabinet Doors: For pipes under sinks, open cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate, providing additional protection against freezing.
Taking these preventive measures ensures that your home’s plumbing remains resilient against the winter freeze. If you have an issue, many plumbing companies offer emergency response. It may cost an additional couple hundred dollars but will be well worth it to prevent further, and more costly, damage.
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