Five Steps To Preventing Frozen Pipes In Winter

As if the cold temperatures and miserable weather weren’t enough, when it comes to winter, one thing no one wants to have to deal with is their pipes freezing and bursting. Water damage from burst pipes is not only stressful to deal with, but it can also create new risks and dangers in your home. 

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Here are some steps that our experts at On-Site Cleaning recommend for you to take to help prevent your pipes from freezing.

1. Insulate Your Pipes

If your pipes are exposed, they are more susceptible to freezing. One of the best things you can do is make sure that your pipes are insulated, so they stay warmer, especially in areas of your house that are not heated otherwise, such as crawlspaces, attics, and garages. Even just duct-taping insulated pipe wrap can make all the difference in making certain that your pipes do not freeze as the temperature outside drops. 

2. Open Cabinet Doors

Pipes that are uninsulated under sinks and attached to appliances that are along the exterior walls of your home pose more of a risk of freezing in the winter months. By opening up your cabinet doors that contain these pipes, you allow more of your home’s heat to reach them and keep them from getting too cold. 

3. Disconnect Hoses And Secure Outdoor Valves And Faucets

Preventative measures before the winter hits are crucial in ensuring your home’s pipes stay safe. Making sure any hoses attached to the outside valves are disconnected is the first thing to do. If possible, make sure you use an indoor valve to shut off and drain the water from the pipes that lead to your outside faucets. If they are emptied of water, they are less likely to freeze where the pipe connects to the inside of your home.

4. Allow Faucets To Drip Water

Most people try to prevent their faucets from dripping spare water when not in use. However, this is actually an effective way to prevent your pipes from freezing when it is especially cold outside. Allowing your faucets to drip some hot or cold water throughout the night when it is coldest can keep your pipes from getting too frozen while you are not using them. This works best when you use a sink that is on an outside wall.

5. Turn Up Your Thermostat

It may seem obvious, but keeping the interior of your home a little bit warmer also helps keep your pipes warmer during cold weather. If possible, bump up the temperature a little bit to ensure none of your pipes or appliances freeze, especially on days when it is extra cold out. 

Conclusion

Winters in Michigan can be incredibly harsh. There is always a risk of pipes freezing and bursting, even when you do everything you can think of to prevent it. If you notice any leaking or damage to a frozen pipeline, the best thing you can do is call professionals such as On-Site Cleaning to fix it for you, clean up any messes that have occurred, and save you from the problem getting any worse.