If your home’s pipes have ever frozen during the winter then you probably want to prevent it from happening again at all costs. Winter will be here before we know it. When the temperatures drop to their lowest this winter season, you want to have preparations ready for protecting your home’s pipes. Frozen pipes are a short-term annoyance because you can’t access the water in your home, but they can also create larger problems if there is any permanent damage to your home’s plumbing.
If you need plumbing in Staten Island, we are here to help. Our team of certified experts can help troubleshoot any plumbing problem—including frozen pipes—and give you advice for protecting your plumbing in the future. Until then, keep reading to learn more about how to prevent frozen pipes so you don’t have to worry about repairs later.
Keep Your Garage Closed
The top thing you can do to prevent frozen pipes is to seal the inside of your home so that cold air can’t get in. And that includes your garage because many of your home’s pipes run through the walls, foundation, and ceiling of your garage. When you keep your garage door closed, you add a layer of protection to those pipes.
This may mean opening your garage door less often during the day. If you do need to open your garage, close the door again as soon as possible. When you walk in the garage, you may feel cold and wonder why it matters to keep your garage door closed. After all, the temperatures are still really cold. But there’s a difference between “really cold” and freezing.
Check the Weather
Keep an eye on the weather forecast in your area so that freezing temperatures don’t sneak up on you. This is especially important if you’re planning to leave town. You already check the weather for your destination so that you can plan what to pack. Do the same for your home. If you anticipate freezing temperatures, go ahead and protect your pipes just to be safe. You don’t want to come home from an enjoyable trip to find that your pipes are frozen and possibly damaged.
Let Faucets Drip
One of the best ways to protect your pipes is to maintain a stream of running water. When water is continuously moving it protects against freezing because the water isn’t sitting still in your pipes. Some homeowners know that particular pipes are more prone to freezing based on past results. Take extra precautions for those pipes and drip those nearby faucets, including sinks, bathtubs, and even outdoor faucets.
Set Your Thermostat
Keep your thermostat set to heat your home even when you’re away. If you’re not home, you may be tempted to turn off your thermostat to save on your energy bill. But keeping your home warm is a great way to prevent frozen pipes. That warmth transfers into your floors, walls, and ceilings to warm your pipes, too. Experts recommend that when you’re away you maintain a minimum temperature of at least 55°F.
Contact Scaran today to schedule an appointment with our professionals.
