Winter is a beautiful season, but it also brings some challenges, especially when it comes to plumbing. Frozen pipes are one of the most common plumbing issues that homeowners face during winter.
If not taken care of, frozen pipes can burst and cause costly damages to your property. Therefore, it is vital to take the necessary measures to prevent frozen pipes and costly repairs during winter.
Check If Your Homeowners Insurance Covers Frozen and Burst Pipes
If your pipes freeze or break, don’t assume your homeowners insurance will pay for the damage. To be certain, read your policy, ideally before you ever sign up for it.
Even if it happens, the insurance provider is probably going to want documentation proving you took specific precautions to avert the tragedy before they pay out.
The sections below discuss some tips on how to prevent frozen pipes and costly repairs during winter.
Insulate Your Pipes
One of the best ways to prevent frozen pipes is to insulate them. Insulating your pipes is a simple and inexpensive way to keep them from freezing. You can use foam sleeves, heat tape, or other insulating materials to wrap your pipes.
Make sure to insulate all exposed pipes, including those in your attic, basement, and garage. Insulating your pipes will also help you save money on your energy bills by keeping the water hot for longer.
Keep a Steady Temperature
Maintaining a consistent temperature in your home is another strategy to avoid frozen pipes. The water inside your pipes may freeze when the temperature falls below freezing.
Therefore, it is essential to keep your home warm, even if you are not there. You can do this by setting your thermostat to a consistent temperature, preferably above 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
You can also open your cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate around your pipes.
Let Your Faucets Drip
When temperatures drop below freezing, letting your faucet drip can help prevent your pipes from freezing. The water flowing through your pipes can help prevent the water from freezing.
Even a small drip can make a significant difference. It is also important to let both hot and cold water drip to relieve pressure in the pipes.
Seal Any Leaks
Another method to avoid frozen pipes is to seal any leaks in your home. Air leaks can allow cold air to enter your home and cause your pipes to freeze.
Therefore, it is crucial to seal any leaks around doors, windows, and electrical wiring. You can use caulking, weatherstripping, or insulation to seal any leaks.
Disconnect Outdoor Hoses and Faucets
Outdoor hoses and faucets can freeze during winter and cause your pipes to burst. Therefore, it is essential to disconnect your outdoor hoses and faucets before winter.
Make sure to turn off the valve that supplies water to your outdoor faucets and drain any water remaining in the pipes.
Prepare Showers, Tubs, and Sinks for the Winter
A container of RV antifreeze and a solid set of cabin plumbing winterization instructions are all you need for this phase. Regular auto antifreeze will damage your plumbing, so avoid using it.
To clear the drain in your bathtub, sink, or shower, simply pour some diluted RV antifreeze. That lessens the possibility that the connected pipes will freeze or rupture. Then, pour the antifreeze into the bowl after draining the toilet tank.
Conclusion
Regular maintenance and inspection of your heating and plumbing systems can help identify potential issues before they become major problems. Remember, investing in winterizing your property can save you a significant amount of time, money, and stress.
So take the necessary steps to prepare for the cold weather ahead and protect your property and belongings from the harmful effects of frozen pipes.
If you need a restoration company because of water damage due to burst pipes, don’t hesitate to choose Best Option Restoration of Cherry Hills! As a trusted national leader in the disaster restoration industry, we offer water damage repair, fire and storm restoration, and mold damage remediation.
We’re a disaster restoration company that serves Cherry Hills Village, Highlands Ranch, and Colorado. Contact us now to learn more.