If you live in fear of frozen water pipes and all the problems they can cause, don’t let it get the best of you.

After all, worrying about outside temperatures and what effect they might have on your pipes is no solution. But here’s what is:  protecting your pipes from freezing in the first place.

Here’s how:

  • Since water starts to freeze at about 20 degrees F, try to keep all areas of your home containing water pipes above freezing.
  • If that’s not practical, the next best thing is to insulate unheated spaces – like crawl spaces and your garage – where water pipes are located.
  • You also want to insulate pipes susceptible to freezing.
  • For the sake of your pipes and home heating costs, beef up insulation around your doors and windows where you can feel a draft.
  • Hopefully, you’ve already shut off your outdoor faucets for the winter, but it wouldn’t hurt to double check.
  • Before going to bed, open cabinet doors that conceal water pipes on outside facing walls. That allows warm air to penetrate and help keep them from freezing.
  • If you’re going away, set your thermostat to no less than 55 degrees and, if you don’t have a thermostat with WiFi access and control, have a friend or neighbour check to ensure the heat remains on during your absence.

If, however, one of your pipes freezes anyway, it’s time to implement Plan B:

  • If a pipe is frozen but not damaged, try thawing it with a hair dryer, and start closest to the faucet it’s connected to.
  • You also can try thawing a pipe with a space heater, but don’t place it too near the pipes.
  • Never use a flame or torch as a pipe thawing device.
  • If a pipe has already cracked or burst, shut off your main water valve and turn on the faucet it’s connected to so the water it holds can escape to prevent additional damage and flooding.

Here’s a plan that always works: contact Burton today for frozen pipe prevention or any other home plumbing need. We can insulate your pipes and suggest other ways to protect your home. We also offer pipe repair and replacement services for damage that’s already occurred. Burton: your total home comfort resource.