7 Ways to Prevent Frozen Pipes

As winter storms spread across the country, there are many problems causing headaches for homeowners.

Among those problems are frozen pipes. If you aren’t aware of the issue they pose, let us explain. As the water in pipes freezes, it expands, creating enough pressure to cause almost any pipe filled with water to rupture.

Now, if the pipe ruptures, it could release hundreds of gallons of water every hour, causing thousands of dollars in damage.

So our intention here is to give you seven ways to avoid freezing pipes. We hope that you implement these as soon as possible.

1.   Keep the heat running.

In the situation that you or those occupying the home will be gone for an extended period of time, you should keep the heat on. We understand that it sounds counterintuitive. However, it must be done to ensure the pipes are protected.

You don’t need to leave it at a high temperature, simply enough heat to prevent freezing.

2.   Insulate (a lot).

All pipes that are left in unheated areas should be covered with sleeve-style pipe insulation. That sleeve should keep the pipe above the freezing point.

3.   Let the water drip.

Letting a small amount of warm water drip out of the faucet, especially at night when the temperature is at its lowest, can be enough to keep the freezing at bay. Please note that we said a small amount. You don’t need to do too much.

4.   Keep all the interior doors open.

Many pipes are hidden in cabinets or behind doors. As a result, they often don’t feel the same warmth as the rest of your home. So to make sure they don’t get too cold, you should open those cabinets and doors to let the heat spread.

5.   Apply heating tape.

Heating tape is an excellent way to prevent freezing. It can act as an electric blanket for the pipes. It could be good to use them in any problem areas like a small section where freezing is likely to occur.

6.   Get a freeze alarm.

Much like heating tape, a freeze alarm is another modern method of keeping your pipes from freezing. As you might imagine, it will send a warning to your phone when the internal temperature of your home drops below 45 degrees. Then you can add additional warmth to the house.

7.   Seal all cracks or crevices.

You should seal any crevices that cold air is leaking into your home. Keep in mind that it doesn’t have to be a large crack. A small one that nothing could fit through is enough for the cold.

If you want to be absolutely sure that you and your home are protected this harsh winter, call Northeast MetroWest Insurance today.