How to Prevent Frozen Pipes

Some vacation nightmares don’t have anything to do with the vacation itself, but instead, lie in what awaits you when you return. Frozen pipes can become one of those nightmares. Thankfully, Powell’s has you covered with these 6 tips to make sure you know how to prevent frozen pipes so you aren’t a homeowner who comes home to expensive repair bills thanks to frozen, burst pipes.

1. Always set your thermostat before you leave and DO NOT simply turn your heat off. Most homes need to be at least 55-60 degrees inside in order to prevent frozen pipes.

2. Disconnect all of your exterior water implements from the spigots as soon as cold weather is in the forecast. Hoses and sprinkler systems can lead to residual water in the plumbing system that can freeze and force you to replace a lot of pipe, or possibly even your entire sprinkler system.

3. Make sure your crawl spaces and attics are properly sealed and insulated. Getting these services done during the warmer months is always a good idea. You’ll benefit from energy savings and warm, intact pipes during the colder months.

4. Leave faucets that are connected to exterior or exposed walls partially open so there is always at least a trickle of water running through. Running water, however slow, effectively prevents freezing.

5. Leave under sink cabinets in your kitchen and bathrooms open if they conceal plumbing, especially along exterior walls. This allows the warmer air inside your home to circulate closer to the pipes.

6. Finally, our best tip: check the weather forecast before you go on vacation so you know whether you need to perform any of these tasks.

Following these steps should keep your pipes from freezing when you leave town in winter. If, for any reason, you wind up with frozen or burst pipes, call the professionals at Powell’s Plumbing. We can get your pipes back up and running in no time! Burst pipes are no joke, and we do the job right! Call us today!