When you wake up on a crisp morning, you might be tempted to wrap up in a warm blanket from the cool air. Your pipes are another part of your home that could also use some protection. If they freeze, they could burst and cause expensive damage to your home.
If you keep the heat on and make sure that your pipes are kept away from the cold, you can avoid a lot of the risk and prevent frozen pipes in your home this winter.
1. Protect Exposed Pipes
Most of your plumbing pipes are either inside the structure of the house or underground. However, your sprinkling system is just one example of a line that might have some exposure above-ground. The colder the soil and the colder the air, the more likely any water in your pipes may freeze.
The best thing you can do is fully drain and winterize your sprinkling system before the cold weather hits. If you have any exposed pipes that shouldn’t be above-ground, ask your plumbing expert for advice.
2. Keep Up the Heat
Winter is a time when many people enjoy heading out for a holiday to a warmer climate. If you want to come back to a safe and comfortable abode, you should plan ahead. Set your thermostat to no lower than 55 degrees, during the day or night. This will help to keep the ambient temperature at a minimum level, to keep pipes located near the exterior of the home’s structure warm enough to avoid freezing.
You should also consider shutting off your water while you are gone, to minimize the likelihood of water leaks in your absence.
3. Improve Insulation
You might be toasty warm inside your home right now, but what about your pipes? Locate your pipes or ask your plumber to identify them. Feel the air surrounding them. Is it colder than the rest of your home?
Think about adding insulation to your attic, basement or crawlspace. Insulation will slow heat transfer out of your home, and help to keep the pipes at a higher temperature throughout the winter.
About 22 percent of insurance claims in winter are made due to water damage, including frozen pipes. Fortunately, you are not doomed to this fate. If you take these steps to protect your home from frozen or burst pipes, you will enjoy a winter of comfortable water usage.
For expert assistance preparing your plumbing for winter, call Master Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today!
