How To Avoid a Bursting Pipe This Winter
The damages that can occur from a harsh cold season are generally unexpected and cause many homeowners headaches. If you live in a climate where you anticipate an onslaught of snow and freezing temperatures, it’s encouraged that you make a move before the holidays. Let’s look at some best practices on how to avoid a bursting pipe this winter so you can prepare.
Keep the Faucets Running
Once the outside temperatures drop below freezing, your pipes are subject to freezing and eventually bursting. Though this is an extreme circumstance if you’re continuously using running water, it can and does happen. Let cold water drip from the cold-water specific faucet to keep the flow active and prevent the pipes from freezing.
Install Heat Tape
When the lines freeze, the water expands, and the pipes burst. And if you’ve ever had to repair or replace pipes, you understand how costly this is for homeowners. Installing heat tape is a more cost-effective way to combat frozen pipes and can be a more straightforward solution than always having an active water flow. The tape can warm your pipes on an as-needed basis when the temperatures drop.
Maintain Your Home’s Temperature
One of the simpler tips on how to avoid a bursting pipe this winter is ensuring you maintain your home’s internal temperature. It’s common to manage the thermostat to prevent a high energy bill. But when weighing the pros and cons of an energy bill or a potential pipe catastrophe, consider choosing the energy bill.
Call a Professional
As a homeowner, it might be to your benefit to employ the help of professionals to get your home ready for the winter. They can perform routine maintenance and ensure your pipes are up to par for the season. In addition to winterizing, they can help you understand your sewer system and its basic functions so that you can evaluate situations as they come when the pros aren’t around.
It’s vital to understand that your unheated interior pipes are most at risk; this includes pipes in basements, garages, and attics. These are also light foot traffic areas, so ensuring you winterize thoroughly and deliberately can save you a lot of trouble. Stay warm, folks!
