5 Helpful Hints to Prevent Frozen Pipes this Winter

As a homeowner, you need to do whatever you can to protect your house. That means maintaining and repairing the roof, painting and fixing the siding when necessary, and making sure your pipes are in good shape all year round. This is particularly important during the winter when pipes are vulnerable to freezing. To avoid any problems, here are a few simple things you can do to avoid frozen pipes.

1. Steer Clear of Frozen Pipes With Insulation

Adequate insulation should be your go-to solution for everything concerning keeping your home nice and toasty during the winter. First of all, you’ll need to insulate your pipes. Pipe insulation is very inexpensive — costing as little as 50 cents per linear foot — so it’s efficient at presenting disaster. It’s important, however, not to neglect the rest of your home either. Make sure your crawl spaces, attics, and basements are all properly insulated.

2. Effective Door Management

We made it sound a little corny, but your home’s doors can help prevent frozen pipes. There’s very little protection for your pipes under the kitchen and bathroom sinks. Leaving cabinet doors open (especially at night) will expose them to warm interior air. Also, keep your garage door closed at all times — especially if there are exposed water lines in the garage.

3. Maintain a Steady Temperature

If you’re in the middle of a cold snap, keep your home’s thermostat at a consistent temperature. It’s not worth dropping the temp at night to save money, since frozen pipes will cost you far more money in the long run.

4. Let Your Faucets Drip

This goes against everything you’ve ever been taught, but it’s wise to allow cold water to drip from faucets from exposed pipes. Even a trickle will prevent the pipe from freezing up.

5. Don’t Turn Off the Heat When Leaving Home             

It’s worth being reminded that you’ll need to leave your home’s thermostat set to at least 55° if you’re heading out of town. You don’t want to return home after vacation to any horrifying surprises.

Should you need assistance with frozen pipes, feel free to reach out to the expert craftsmen at Handyman Connection of Lexington-East, KY. We can handle all your plumbing and handyman needs, so give us a call today!