4 Steps to Prevent Your Water Pipes from Freezing

It’s best to be prepared if you want to avoid dealing with home repairs this winter. You need to be ready if you want to avoid frozen water pipes, in particular. Handyman Connection of Rockville, the top home maintenance expert, offers these tips to keep your water pipes from freezing:

1. Start Your Preparations Early – Before it gets too cold, stock up on blocks of foam insulation. Use them to block foundation vents that lead to crawl spaces. Find your water shutoff valve, or ask us to help you determine where it is, in case a water pipe breaks. Keep a temporary patch kit to seal off burst pipes before we arrive at your home.
2. Keep Your Cabinet Doors Open – The plumbing that runs to an exterior wall or your kitchen sink can be vulnerable to cold temperatures because of the lack of insulation in that wall. Keeping the cabinet doors along that wall open allows heat to enter that space and keep your water pipes warm. An electric heater positioned in front of your cabinets also adds increased protection.
3. Insulate Your Pipes and Attic – For best results, we recommend calling a professional to do this for you. We can analyze the condition of your crawl space, attic, and other areas and recommend the right amount of insulation to protect your pipes.
4. Try Installing a Heating Cable – The heating cable can keep your water pipes warm and prevent them from freezing. You can buy heating cables at the electrical supply shop or at your local home center. Make sure to strictly follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing the cable to prevent any problems.

For more detailed and specific assistance, give us a call. Handyman Connection of Rockville is a plumbing specialist. In addition, we can help you with your flooring, decks, home remodeling and other home maintenance needs. We’ve won multiple Angie’s List Super Service Awards, as well, so you can trust our expertise. Contact us to learn more about dealing with frozen water pipes. You can also ask for an estimate.