3 Tips for Preventing Frozen Pipes

12/12/2019 (Permalink)

Letting faucets drip warm water overnight can create a trickle that keeps your pipes just warm enough to fight off freezing

The winter season can bring many joys, but also headaches in the form of frozen pipes. A pipe freeze can trigger a catastrophic chain of events in your home that can end in big bills. Many homeowners don’t realize this can be avoided. Check out these tips for keeping your Elburn,IL, home’s pipes toasty as temperatures drop.

Why Do Pipes Freeze?

It may seem obvious why pipes freeze: They’re full of water, which forms ice when temperatures drop. But that’s not the top reason for frozen pipes. There are actually three main triggers. Those are:

• Quick temperature drops
  
• Poor insulation
  
• Thermostats set too low
  
  

While you can’t change the temperature outside, you can definitely prepare your pipes and keep them from being negatively impacted.

Insulate Your Pipes

An exposed pipe is an at-risk pipe, even in parts of the country where freezing temperatures are rare. Fight back by insulating pipes during the warm season. Pipe insulation is available relatively cheaply at the average hardware store. Wrap pipes in your attic, crawl spaces and other areas where the temperature drops to prevent a freeze.

Seal House Leaks

Another threat to pipes comes from cold air that leaks into your home. Caulk up leaks around dryer vents, electrical outlets, and windows. These tiny openings can let in just the right amount of cold air to trigger a pipe freeze and all the headaches that come with it.

Drip Your Faucets

This may be an old trick, but it’s an effective one. Letting faucets drip warm water overnight can create a trickle that keeps your pipes just warm enough to fight off freezing.
Frozen pipes can trigger a pipe burst and with it, everything from flooding to household mold. Stop the problem before it starts. Use the above tips from your local water cleanup specialist to keep your home plumbing safe and secure through the season.