How To Avoid Freezing Pipes

11/2/2022 (Permalink)

Tips for Preventing Pipe Freezing

Freezing pipes are a pain. They can burst, causing water damage, and cost a lot of money to fix. To prevent this, you'll need to make sure the temperature in your home doesn't drop too low overnight, as well as maintain moderate temperatures throughout the day when no one is home. We've got some tips that will help prevent frozen pipes from happening!

Let Water Drip from Faucets

When the temperature drops below freezing, the water in your pipes will freeze and expand, which can cause the pipe to burst. To avoid this, let water drip from faucets served by exposed pipes, such as the kitchen sink or bathroom sink. If you have a flowing water faucet that is not on an exposed pipe, leave it open about half an inch for a slow drip of water to keep the pipe from freezing. Don't forget to turn off all faucets when you leave the house!

Leave the Heat on in your Home

If you are going away for more than a few days during cold weather, your best bet is to leave the heat on. You can also turn down the thermostat to 60 degrees if you will be away for only a couple of days. The temperature in your home does not need to be set below freezing; it just needs to stay above freezing for pipes that are exposed and outside walls.

Open Kitchen and Bathroom Cabinets 

Another easy way to prevent pipes from freezing is to open cabinet doors in both the kitchen and bathroom. This will allow heat from your home to circulate throughout the space, which will keep everything nice and warm.

Keep Garage Doors Closed 

If you have a garage door that opens into the house, make sure it's kept closed if there are water supply lines in the garage. Cold air can get trapped in the garage when it's opened up to let people and vehicles in and out. 

Maintain Moderate Temperatures in your Home

Maintain moderate temperatures in your home, even when away. This will reduce heat loss from your home and keep warm air inside as long as possible.

Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. Maintaining the same temperatures throughout the day and night can help prevent your pipes from freezing and bursting. Though it might cost you a bit more on your electricity bill, it is better than paying the price to repair your home after a water loss.

Hopefully, this article has given you some insight into how to avoid frozen pipes. If you have any questions about whether or not your pipes are going to freeze, please contact us. We’re always happy to help! If your home or business has suffered from a pipe burst, our SERVPRO team can assist you with all your water damage cleanup and restoration needs!