Take These Precautions Against Frozen Pipes

Frozen pipes not only disrupt daily life, they can also be expensive to repair. Pipes in your home can burst when water remaining in the pipe expands as it freezes. Combine expanding water and extreme pressure, and pipes simply do not have the strength to hold in the liquid.

Generally, pipes that are exposed to outdoor temperatures freeze more readily, such as outdoor hoses, swimming pool lines and water sprinkler lines. Additionally, pipes that run along exterior walls in your home, often with minimal insulation, tend to freeze more easily.

Take the following precautions to prevent frozen pipes in your home:

• Insulate pipes in unheated interior areas such as crawl spaces and attics.
• Wrap pipes in colder areas of the home with heat tape or thermostat-controlled heat cables.
• Open cabinet doors to expose pipes under the sink to warm air.
• Seal any leaks with caulking or insulation
• Disconnect outdoor water piping such as hoses and taps. Make sure these hook-ups are shut off completely using a valve and allow the excess water to drain out of the pipes.
• Trickle some water out of your taps periodically to keep water moving within the pipes, this actually helps to prevent blockage.

If you are going on vacation during these frigid months do not set your thermostat lower than 13° C while you are away. It’s also a good idea to ask someone to periodically check the temperature in your home while you are gone.