Don’t be a victim to frozen pipes!
Brrr! It is not even Thanksgiving yet and the temperature is already starting to drop significantly. It is always a good time to start thinking about how the cold temperatures can affect your home. One of the biggest problems when the temperature drops down is frozen pipes.
Freezing weather can be bad news for your plumbing. Freezing temperatures cause water to expand and reek havoc on your plumbing. That is why it is important to make sure you are prepared. The expanding water can cause pipes to burst and cause significant water damage to your home. Below are some helpful tips to prevent and deal with frozen pipes.
- Make sure to drain the water from swimming pools and sprinkler systems. Remove and store your outdoor hoses.
- Locate any pipes that are exposed to cold temperatures. Make sure these are properly insulated to prevent freezing.
- Close your garage door during freezing temps if you have water lines in the garage.
- Open up kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors. This allows warm air to circulate and keep your plumbing warm.
- Let cold water drip from your exposed pipes during cold weather.
- Keep your thermostat set to the same temperature during the day and night. If you leave on vacation make sure to leave the heat on and do not set the temperature lower than 55 degrees. Your heating bill may be slitghlt higher but it is better than paying for damage done from frozen pipes.
If you turn on your sink and only drops of water come out, you most likely have a frozen pipe. Make sure to keep the faucet open. Getting the water to flow will melt the frozen pipe. Also applying heat to the pipe will help thaw it. If you cannot get access to the pipe to thaw it out, call a plumber.
If you do experience damage from a pipe bursting, call us immediately! We are here to help 24/7.
Make sure to subscribe to our blog and follow us on twitter and facebook for industry news, tips, and deals and coupons!