How to Keep Pipes Safe During a Freeze

1/31/2018 (Permalink)

Winter can be a beautiful and festive time of year. However, if you don’t adequately prepare your home, the freezing temperatures of winter can cause frozen pipes that burst and flood your house. If that happens, you could end up needing professional restoration services and water line repair. Here are some of the most vulnerable pipes:

• Outdoor pipes for pools and sprinklers
• Units in basements
• Pipes in attics and garages
• Units under kitchen and bathroom cabinets

Avoid frozen pipes in these areas with a few steps.

Drain Outdoor Lines

If you have a swimming pool or a sprinkler system, follow the manufacturer’s directions for draining the supply lines before a freeze comes to St. Charles, IL. You may be tempted to use antifreeze in these outdoor areas, but such chemicals can be harmful to the environment, your yard, your animals, and children.

Insulate Indoor Areas

Pipes in basements, attics, garages, and crawl spaces freeze because these areas aren’t always well insulated. While the rest of your house may be comfortable when the weather is cold, these areas can see below freezing temperatures. Adding insulation in these parts of your home can keep the temperatures safer for pipes.

Protect Cabinets

The pipes in your kitchen and bathroom cabinets can get too cold because your heater doesn’t affect the air around them. You can use heat tape or a similar product to keep these pipes safe from freezing temperatures. You may also consider a pipe sleeve. If a sudden freeze is coming and you don’t have these products, you can wrap the pipes in a newspaper and keep the cabinets open.

If you do end up with frozen pipes that burst, be sure to turn off the water supply to the pipe and secure the area. Then, you can call a professional restoration company to fix the damage. Doing so can help keep mold and other damage at bay. Visit  http://www.SERVPROstcharlesgenevabatavia.com for more information on water damage.