Get Your Pipes Ready for the Cold Winter Months

The cold winter months can wreak havoc on your pipes. Anytime the temperature falls below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, there’s a risk of your pipes freezing. Once frozen, this can prevent you from having access to water. Pipes bursting can have a devastating effect on your entire plumbing system. Pipes in the attic, basement, or crawl space are particularly susceptible to freezing. By following a few simple tips, you can prevent a catastrophe and save yourself money on costly repairs.

Assess the Situation

Frozen pipes are problematic enough, but when they actually burst, they can cause even more issues. Water damage and numerous broken pipes can be expensive to deal with. It’s a good idea to check pipes for age and damage before the cold-weather months arrive. Old and aging pipes are more likely to break. It may be a good time to just go ahead and replace them. Also, it’s a good idea to check for pipes that are exposed to the elements and cover them when possible.

Add Insulation

Adding insulation to your basement, crawl space, and attic can go a long way to prevent frozen pipes. Insulation between the pipes and outer walls is also helpful to prevent freezing. Cabinets under your sinks should be left open so the exposed pipes stay warmer. On especially cold nights, it’s also a good practice to let your faucets drip. Running water makes it harder for the pipes to freeze and also takes away some of the pressure if they do, helping to prevent bursts.

Seal up Your Home

Check for holes and cracks in your foundation, basement walls, and around any exposed pipes in the home. Make sure to fill all holes and seal up any cracks before it gets too cold outside. If you already know of problem pipes that tend to freeze, an extra space heater nearby may be a good idea. Just be sure that it’s a safe heater designed for the space you use it in. If you plan to be away from the home for long periods of time, perhaps for the holidays, you may want to shut off the water completely and drain the pipes.

Let Us Handle Your Plumbing Needs

For more information on this topic, you can reach out to a local plumbing company. Here at Total Care Plumbing, we provide a range of plumbing services in Grand Forks, ND and the surrounding area, so call us today to set up an appointment.