How To Prevent Pipes From Freezing

When water freezes, it expands about 9% in volume. As the water expands, it puts a great force on the inside of the pipe and when pressure gets too high, the pipe ruptures. A ruptured pipe can reap havoc on your home and be rather costly. To prevent such an experience, read over some of these tips we provided below!

Make sure your home is protected with these 10 tips to prevent pipes from freezing.

1. Open cabinet doors to allow heat to better reach pipes that are concealed in areas such as the bathroom and kitchen.
2. Keep the garage door closed to maintain heat supply and protect pipes in the garage.
3. Let facets drip cold water, even if it is just a trickle. Running water is less likely freeze.
4. Shut off the water before you leave town. Don’t ruin a great vacation by coming home to frozen or burst pipes. Shut off the water before you go and then turn on the water to drain the pipes of their supply. Also, flush the toilets as they hold a supply of water.
5. Disconnect hoses at the end of the summer season, take the hose inside. Hoses can store excess water inside them which can lead a burst.
6. Check the thermostat to ensure it is set no lower 55°F.
7. Install domes over outdoor faucet and spigots.
8. Prepare before the cold by wrapping you pipes in insulation tape. This helps stop sweating caused by cold pipes and humid air.
9. Install electric heat cable that lines your pipes. This keeps pipes from freezing even in some extreme conditions.
10. Add insulation to you home for a more long-term solution. You can better insulate your home in areas such as the attic, basement, and crawl spaces.

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