Frozen Pipes

10/16/2018 (Permalink)

Tips to prevent pipes from freezing at your home or business:

• Keep a slow trickle of water flowing through faucets connected to pipes that run through an unheated or unprotected space. The cost of the extra water is low compared to the cost to repair a broken pipe.
• Seal cracks and holes in outside walls and foundations near water pipes with caulking.
• Keep cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate around pipes.
• Insulate pipes that pass through unheated spaces (crawlspaces, basements, garages).
• Eliminate sources of cold air near water lines by repairing broken windows, insulating walls, closing off crawl spaces and eliminating drafts near doors.
• Know where your main water shut-off valve is. If a pipe freezes or bursts, shut the water off immediately.
• When away from the house for an extended period, be careful how much you lower the heat. A lower temperature may save on the heating bill, but there could be a disaster if a cold spell strikes and pipes that normally would be safe, freeze and burst.

Weatherproofing your home against the cold will help protect your indoor plumbing against the threat of breaks.

Source: Institute for Business and Home Safety.