Winter Home Improvement Tips for Preventing Frozen Pipes in Wichita East, KS

With the arrival of winter comes a lot of great things. Winter means the holidays are here and with them come ample opportunities for get-togethers with friends and family.  It also means things will get pretty cold in Wichita, and that can lead to household hazards like frozen pipes. Before you’re stuck having to deal with a plumbing disaster, here are a few winter home improvement ideas that can help.

Pipe Insulation

The most effective way to prevent pipes from freezing up is to have them insulated. Craftsmen skilled in winter home improvement can use fiberglass, foam, or polyethylene materials to insulate your pipes so they won’t freeze even during the coldest winters.

Close Your Garage Doors

Homeowners often forget the valuable role your garage door plays in keeping your house warm. If left open, your home is exposed to cold temperatures that can freeze your pipes. This is particularly dangerous if you have water lines that run through the garage.

Open Your Cabinets

Just as an open garage door will let cold air reach your pipes, closed cabinets will prevent warm air from doing the same. Keeping cabinets open during cold snaps will ensure that the warmer air of your home will be able to circulate around the plumbing, preventing ice blockages. If it’s a really cold night, open all kitchen and bathroom cabinets before going to bed.

Open Interior Doors

You don’t always have to invest in a winter home improvement project to protect your home’s pipes. Sometimes something as simple as leaving all your home’s interior doors open is all you need. As stated above, opening your bathroom cabinets can help heat your pipes. It won’t have the same impact, however, if the bathroom door is closed. To ensure all your rooms (and the pipes within) are benefiting from an even distribution of heat, leave as many doors open as you can both day and night.

Leave the Heat On

While most homeowners in Wichita know better, anyone is liable to forget to keep the heat on if they’re out of town. This is especially likely if you’re heading out on a vacation during unusually warm winter weather. Whatever the temperature, make sure to set the thermostat to 55° or higher while you’re away. All it takes is one bad cold snap, and you could return to burst pipes and a big winter home improvement project that you weren’t anticipating.

To make sure your home’s plumbing is ready for the cold months ahead, feel free to contact the experts at Handyman Connection of Wichita East, KS. Call us today and we’ll be happy to answer all your questions.