Tips to help prevent water pipes from freezing

Every winter as the temperature starts to drop, the pipes in and around your home are at risk of freezing and possibly even bursting. However, by following a few easy tips you can greatly reduce the chance of your pipes freezing and thus saving yourself a costly repair bill in the case of burst pipes.

According to the American Red Cross, the pipes most likely to freeze during the winter months are:

• Pipes exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines and water sprinkler lines.
• Water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets.
• Pipes running against exterior walls with little to no insulation.

To help keep these and other pipes from freezing, be sure to:

• Disconnect all garden hoses and install covers on all outside faucets.
• Keep your house temperature at 68 degrees or higher.
• Open cabinet doors below sinks to allow heat from the house to circulate.
• Keep water moving through pipes by allowing a small trickle to run.
• Wrap pipes near exterior walls and in crawl spaces with insulation or heating tape.
• Heat your basement and consider weather-sealing your windows.
• Shut off water supply values if away from home for an extended period.

“Repairing or replacing burst water pipes can be an expensive and stressful situation. By following these recommendations before the weather turns too cold, you could save yourself thousands of dollars in repairs,” said Assistant Utilities Director Chad Austin.

For more information on preventing and thawing frozen pipes, please visit the American Red Cross website at https://bit.ly/3GlQstI.