February 28/2024
6 Tips to Prevent Frozen Pipes in Your Home
No matter where you live, you need to consider the risk of your pipes freezing. Frozen pipes are a common problem in the U.S., affecting thousands of families during every cold season. Fortunately, there are simple things you can do to keep your pipes from freezing.
Mr. Rooter Plumbing has been helping homeowners and businesses with their plumbing needs for 50+ years. We offer top-notch plumbing services, including repiping, pipe replacement, burst pipe repair, and more. With our decades of experience in the plumbing industry, we understand what needs to be done to prevent frozen pipes. In today’s blog post, we will provide you with tips to protect your pipes from freezing.
Exposed pipes, especially those located in unheated spaces or along outside walls, are susceptible to freezing. We recommend you wrap them with pre-made pipe insulation or foam pipe sleeves. You can find pipe insulation materials in your local hardware store. This is a simple and inexpensive way to prevent burst pipes. If you need help, get in touch with a nearby plumbing repair service.
- Keep The Heat in Your Home Set At A Minimum of 55 Degrees Fahrenheit
We get it—the Department of Energy advises homeowners to adjust their thermostats during the cold snap, but this idea is not good for your plumbing. Instead, you should keep the thermostat set to the same temperature during the day and night. You may see a slight increase in your heating bills, but it’s cheaper than burst pipe repair and water damage restoration.
- Open Cupboards And Vanities To Warm Pipes
If there are sinks and water-using appliances located near exterior walls, it’s advisable to leave cabinet doors open. This allows warm air to circulate around pipes in cabinets and vanities, thereby preventing them from freezing.
Pipes running through unheated spaces such as attics, basements, or garages don’t get as much warmth as they would in heated areas of your home. To prevent burst pipes, insulate the unheated areas in your home to keep the pipes warm and lower your heating bills at the same time. If you’re handy around your home, you can handle this yourself. And to prevent drafts, seal any air leaks around windows, doors, electrical outlets, and plumbing penetrations to prevent cold air from reaching your pipes.
Garages are often uninsulated and can get very cold, especially if they’re not heated. Keeping the garage door closed helps trap warm air from your house and prevent pipes from freezing.
- Open The Outside Spigots To Allow To Drain Water Out
Outside hose bibs and spigots can freeze and burst if water remains inside them. Before freezing weather arrives, shut off the water supply to these faucets and drain any remaining water by opening the tap and leaving it open until all the water has drained.
Looking For A Professional Plumbing Service? Mr. Rooter Plumbing Is One Phone Call Away
Perhaps you need help with winterizing your plumbing, suspect frozen pipes in your home, or have a burst pipe that needs to be fixed quickly to avoid water damage. No matter what your needs are, Mr. Rooter Plumbing is here to help. We specialize in pipe repair, repiping, and pipe replacement, helping homeowners keep their plumbing in good shape. When you’re in need of a trusted plumbing repair service, you can count on the knowledgeable and experienced plumbers at Mr. Rooter Plumbing to do an excellent job.
