Indiana homeowners are familiar with harsh winter weather and surprise snow storms. Unfortunately, extended sub-freezing weather can mean frozen pipes, if homeowners aren’t prepared. To prevent pipes from freezing in your home this year, use the tips provided below to prepare your pipes — and know what to do the next time winter’s wrath is directed at your Indianapolis area home.
Steps to take before the freeze
Your home’s plumbing pipes require insulation. Because some portion of pipes are generally located in unconditioned areas of your home, they are subject to freezing. You can use pipe insulation or heat tape to carefully wrap the material around the pipes. Another factor that contributes to a cold space, which then creates the potential for pipes to freeze, is air leaks. Leaks in your home’s exterior shell allow colder air to enter the home, which then leads to an even colder basement, for instance, where pipes can freeze. Wherever possible, seal air leaks in your home, not only to prevent pipes from freezing but to save energy as well.
Steps to take once temperatures become frigid
If weather conditions produce sub-freezing temperatures, you can take steps to avoid freezing pipes by:
- Opening faucets so that they drip a small amount of water, ensuring a flow of water that’s more difficult to freeze and relieving pressure in the plumbing system (to prevent pipes from bursting if they do freeze and thaw).
- Maintaining a consistently warm temperature 24 hours a day.
- Allowing heat to enter cabinet spaces by keeping cabinet doors open.
If you have to leave your house, don’t forget to…
- Maintain an indoor temperature above 55 degrees. If the power to your home comes back on while you’re not home, this will ensure that heat is delivered to the space.
- Ensure that the water supply valve to your home’s plumbing system is shut off.
With these tips in hand, you can prevent pipes from freezing, no matter what weather Mother Nature throws at you. If you’d like help with any of your home’s plumbing needs, don’t hesitate to call the experts at Mowery Heating, Air Conditioning and Plumbing.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
Mowery services the Brownsburg, Indiana and the surrounding areas. Visit our websiteto see our special offers and get started today!
