Cold weather in the Indianapolis area puts your home’s pipes at risk of freezing. Frozen pipes can end up bursting, which can flood the inside of your home and result in major water damage. Taking steps to stop your pipes from freezing can help reduce this risk and keep your home safe.
Insulate Vulnerable Pipes
Not all pipes in your home run the risk of freezing. Pipes in areas of your home that aren’t heated, such as your attic, garage, and basement, are more likely to freeze as temperatures drop. Pipes that run along outer walls in your home also have a higher chance of freezing. Insulating these pipes helps protect them from cold temperatures. Wrap pipe insulation around vulnerable pipes to prevent them from becoming frozen pipes.
Open Cabinets in Your Kitchen and Bathroom
If you have sinks that are against outer walls in these rooms, open the cabinet doors under them. Doing so lets heated air inside, which helps stop them from becoming frozen pipes. Make sure any harmful products, such as cleaning solutions, are removed from these cabinets and put somewhere safe if you have young children or pets in your home.
Leave a Trickle of Water Running
For faucets that are along outer walls, leave a trickle of cold water running. Letting water move through these pipes helps keep them from freezing.
Don’t Lower the Thermostat at Night
When outdoor temperatures are bitterly cold, avoid turning your thermostat down at night. You might do this normally to save money on your heating bills. However, it’s more important to keep your home warmer and lower the risk of having your pipes freeze.
Add Insulation
Putting more insulation in your attic, crawl space, or basement can help prevent these spaces from getting too cold. Sealing up any gaps or cracks in your home also helps keep out drafts of cold air that can cause pipes to freeze.
If you need help preventing or dealing with frozen pipes, contact Mowery Heating, Cooling and Plumbing. We provide dependable plumbing and HVAC services for homeowners in Indianapolis.
