Preventing Pipes Freezing Which Can Lead to Floods

The winter brings many challenges to homeowners that they don’t have to face the rest of the year, but the costliest of those challenges are frozen pipes. Harsh temperatures often cause pipes to freeze and burst, leading to flooding throughout the home. The repair and replacement process after suffering from frozen pipes is something no homeowner is prepared for, yet many still don’t know how to avoid it. Follow these simple steps to avoid frozen pipes this winter and save yourself thousands!

Open Cabinets

If you’re expecting an especially cold weather front it’s a great idea to open your kitchen and bathroom cabinets around the sink. Opening the cabinets will allow extra airflow from inside the home to circulate around the pipes, keeping them too warm to freeze. If you have any children or pets inside your home be sure to move any chemicals from under the sink to a place out of reach. Having your cabinets open may be inconvenient, but frozen pipes are much worse!

Let Water Flow

Letting water trickle through your pipes overnight will maintain enough movement to prevent freezing. Turn your cold water on to a slow trickle while the temperatures are low and turn it off once the temperatures return to normal.

Maintain a Consistent Temperature

You should choose a temperature and leave your thermostat there consistently, day and night. Changing the temperature up and down during the winter months makes
your pipes more susceptible to freezing, even if you only change it by a few degrees. If you’ll be away from your home be sure to leave your heat turned on to at least 55 degrees to prevent freezing and bursting pipes.

Invest in Long-Term Solutions

Adding insulation to your basement, attic, and crawlspace is a great way to keep your pipes warm during the winter. While this isn’t a tip that can help you right away, it’s worth making the investment for long-term piece of mind. Sealing around the home’s foundation is another easy way to maintain a higher temperature around the pipes and decrease the risk of freezing or flooding. The insulation and sealing will allow your home to maintain a higher temperature in the areas where your heat may not reach or effectively control the temperature. This
insulation should be checked and replaced as needed to maintain the effectiveness. Check it at the beginning of each winter season to ensure your home is protected.

Roys Restoration: Mold Removal Experts

Ensuring ones pipes do not rupture is a preventative measure that all homeowners should be taking when temperatures get extremely low. As stated above, frozen pipes burst which lead to water damage that can even bring on mold. Roy’s restoration has partnered with numerous plumbing companies that have the ability to replace frozen pipes in the event it occurs. For questions regarding frozen pipes and the aftermath of a pipe bursting, contact Roy’s Restoration today!