5 keys to preventing freezing pipes (and what to do if they freeze)

Keep the water running.

Sean Richardson of Sean Richardson Services says that the tiniest trickle can sometimes be enough to stop pipes from freezing. “The weather forecasters are pretty good at forecasting when there’ll be a particularly harsh drop in temperatures, so if you’re expecting a freeze, turn your taps on and allow just a trickle to come through the pipes. We’re not saying do this with all of the tapes in the house, but just the ones that are supplied by the exposed pipes. The constant movement of water through the pipes will go a long way to prevent freezing and also relieves any potential pressure build-up that could burst a pipe.”

(Photo: Photopixel/Shutterstock)

Insulate your pipes.

Pipe insulation is fairly inexpensive but can save your pipes from freezing. “We would always advise that you focus on the most vulnerable sections of your plumbing — the exterior pipes and pipes located in unheated areas of your home like the attic,” advises Richardson. “If there’s cold weather on the way and you haven’t had time to insulate your pipes properly, you can DIY it too. Around 50-60 years ago, people used to wrap pipes in old newspapers and just secured it with duct tape. It may sound funny, but it definitely does the job in a pinch!”

(Photo: Otto/Adobe Stock)

Keep the heat on.

While many may be tempted to turn off the heat if going away, leaving it on could keep you from coming home to an unexpected water loss. You also might be tempted to lower the thermostat due to rising heating costs. “When the temperatures dip, we tend to blast the heat during the day and turn things down at night — this isn’t helping your internal plumbing,” says Richardson. “Try and keep your heating at a more consistent temperature over the 24-hour period as this will keep the pipes from freezing.” Richardson suggests always keeping the thermostat around a minimum of 53 degrees Fahrenheit (or 12 degrees Celsius).

(Photo: Oliver LeMoal/Shutterstock)

Keep your cabinets and doors open.

It may seem like a simple thing, but allowing warm air to circulate around your pipes in vulnerable areas can help prevent freezing. “In most homes, your plumbing in the kitchen or bathroom is tucked away behind a cabinet door of some sort. During a cold snap, you should open up these doors to allow the warm air from inside the house to get around the pipes, keeping them from free from blockages,” recommends Richardson.

(Photo: rawf8/Shutterstock)

Plug the gaps.

Most homes have cracks and spaces that let in cold air. Richardson warns homeowners to “check around your doors and windows for any holes and large gaps that are letting all of the warm air in your home escape and letting cold air in. Windowsills in particular are a common leakage point. If you have any cabling running externally to internally, examine where it enters the home for gaps.”

(Photo: gmcgill/Adobe Stock)

And if the pipes are already frozen?

If the water is coming out of the faucet slowly or not at all, Richardson says this is an indication the pipes are frozen. “If the problem only exists with one tap, it’s a local issue rather than a system-wide problem.” If they haven’t burst and there isn’t a leak, turn off the water at the main shut-off valve, to prevent the water from building up and causing the pipes to rupture.

(Photo: Bigstock)

Thawing a pipe.

There are several options to thaw a pipe and a hair dryer can be used to slowly apply heat up and down the length of a pipe. Richardson says another option is to wrap a warm towel around the pipe. “This should free up the blockage and not shock the pipe too much. Put down a bucket or use other towels to catch the drips.” If the pipes have burst, turn off the main water supply to minimize damage and call a plumber. Remove as much water as possible to mitigate the damage and reduce the chance of mold growth.

(Photo: Andrey Lobachev/Adobe Stock)

Even a minor water leak can create thousands of dollars of damage in a home or business, and according to iPropertyManagement.com, the average home insurance claim for water damage is $11,098, which nationwide translates to roughly $20 billion per year.

Consider that a leaky faucet can waste approximately 3,000 gallons of water, the same amount of water used in 270 loads of laundry, 1200 loads of dishes in a dishwasher or 600 showers.

Water losses can also be caused by backed up drains, leaking water supply lines, clogged gutters, leaking water heaters and this time of year, a major culprit can be frozen pipes. While some homeowners insurance policies will pay for the water damage caused by frozen pipes, in this case, preventing them from freezing at all can save significant loss and heartache.

The slideshow above provides tips to help policyholders prevent their pipes from freezing and offers several remedies in the event of an unexpected freeze.

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