Would you hang out outdoors this time of year without a warm jacket? How about in your basement, garage, or unheated vacation home? If you’d potentially freeze your socks off, your pipes might too. Not that they wear socks.
Uninsulated pipes that are left in super chilly temperatures can freeze and even burst, which could cause flooding, hand-wringing, and costly damage. We know. The stories we’ve heard are devastating.
The good news is, protecting your pipes from freezing is fairly simple. Here’s how:
- Check all pipes and faucets — cold and hot water pipes — in unheated spaces, such as garages, basements, or outside. Make sure they are wrapped in foam rubber sleeves to insulate them, and that the sleeves are in good condition.
- Keep a trickle of water dripping from faucets in unheated spaces. Moving water isn’t as likely to freeze.
- Keep the thermostat set above 60 degrees when you’re at work, on vacation, or away from your vacation home, even if you’re gone just a few days.
- Use caulk to seal holes and cracks in your home’s exterior and around windows and doors, so the cold can’t creep in.
- Drain water from garden sprinklers before temperatures drop.
- Keep your garage door closed when you’re not using it and consider heating it if you have running water or plumbing in your garage.
- Test your water shut-off valve, just in case you need to use it quickly!
Need help protecting your home from winter damage? These Zaarly pros are here for you.
