If you’re concerned about water pipes freezing in unheated areas of your home, like your basement or garage, then it’s time to do something about it. And, as you’re about to see, it doesn’t take much to prevent Frozen Pipes freezing and bursting and the watery mess that normally follows such an event:
- Don’t turn your thermostat below 55 degrees, even when going away on vacation.
- If you have water pipes inside cabinets – especially on outside facing walls – open those cabinets before retiring for the evening so the heat from your home can help keep those pipes nice and warm.
- For added protection, all unheated water pipes should be covered in foam insulation or electrical heating tape, and that includes inside your basement, garage, crawl spaces, and any other unheated area of your home. Also, you might want to consider insulating the inside of your garage door or replacing yours with a pre-insulated model.
- Close all windows near water pipes and cover or close open-air vents to block freezing wind drafts.
- When the outdoor temperature dips below freezing, it’s a good idea to turn on one bathroom or kitchen faucet to a slow trickle to prevent water inside your pipes from freezing.
- You also should caulk any holes or cracks that exist near pipes. This should be done on both interior and exterior walls. Doing so can help keep the cold air out and the warm air in.
If you have any questions about frozen pipe prevention or want some help to protect your home from damage, contact your local plumbing professionals at Norhio Plumbing today.
