Frozen water pipes are a common problem for many homeowners during the colder or winter months. When water pipes freeze, they could burst and cause flooding or costly water damage to your property. Luckily, there are preventative measures to keep pipes from freezing when the temperatures drop.
Keep the Heat On
It is common to think that if you are going out of town for a few days that you should turn your heat or air off in your home to save on electricity; but, that is a huge mistake, especially during the cold months. It is imperative that you maintain the heat in your property at fifty degrees or higher, even if no one is home.
Insulate Pipes
Pipes located close to outside walls, attics, or crawl spaces are most susceptible to freezing. Always ensure they are properly insulated with foam rubber or fiberglass sleeves. Wrapping pipes with heat tape or thermostatically controlled heat cables are also an option that will provide enough heat to keep the pipes warm and prevent any water inside them from freezing.
Seal Cracks, Leaks, and Holes
Go the extra mile and caulk holes or cracks both on the interior and exterior walls to prevent drafts or cold air from reaching the pipes. Pay more attention to areas around utility service lines.
Allow Your Faucet to Drip
If you are going to be away for more than 24 hours, you may want to consider the option to turn off the water supply to the house and drain the system. A more common practice is to leave your faucet open to allow slight trickles of water and prevent pressure build-up during freezing temperatures.
Keep cabinet doors open
Opening cabinets doors that are closely located to these pipes can help circulate warm air around the plumbing fixtures and prevent pressure buildup and blockages from ice.
Contact Highland Construction & Restoration at (910) 485-6738 if water damage is discovered in your home or business. We are a professional water damage restoration company, and you can rest assured your home is in good hands.