Frozen pipes can occur without warning, leaving you without water and possibly a pipe burst. So what can you do to prevent it? There are several safety precautions you can take to prevent your pipes from freezing, all of which are easy to do. Before we talk about how you keep your pipes from freezing, we need to discuss when pipes freeze.
When do pipes freeze?
Pipes can freeze due to three things: poor insulation, a sudden drop in temperature or the thermostat being set too low. With that in mind, it is usually very cold when pipes freeze, roughly 20° F. However, even if it’s not 20° F, it doesn’t mean your pipes can’t freeze, especially without insulation. Therefore, it is important to make sure your pipes are well protected, as the cost of fixing a burst pipe can be expensive.
Frozen Pipe Prevention
To prevent your pipes from freezing inside and outside of your home, here is what you can do:
- For exposed pipes with faucets, let cold water drip from the faucet to prevent the pipe from freezing.
- Have your thermostat set to a constant temperature at night and during the day. This constant temperature will help stop pipes from freezing over if there is a sudden temperature change.
- Internal pipes in your bathroom and kitchen can freeze. Open the cabinet doors where the pipes are located to let warm air circulate around them and prevent freezing.
- Add insulation to anywhere in your home where it might be lacking. Attics and basements are the most susceptible areas when it comes to pipe freezes.
- If you have a water supply line in your garage, be sure to keep the garage door closed whenever you can.
- If you have a vacation planned this winter, make sure that your thermostat is set to heat the house while you’re gone. Any temperature above 55° F is ideal.
As you can see, it doesn’t take much to prevent your pipes from freezing, and the reward is no burst pipes. So take the time and protect your home this winter. If you’re in need of some extra plumbing help like a pipe repair, then contact Parker & Sons for all your needs!
