If a pipe bursts in your home during the winter months, it will put a big hamper on your entire season. The good news is that we’re here to help, and we’ve done so by compiling a list of our favorite tips to avoid the problem:
Drain Excess Water
The more water contained in your pipes, the more likely it is to freeze and cause problems. You can prevent this by draining your pipes of any excess water.
Cover Exposed Pipes
There’s an excellent chance that your home contains exposed pipes, which are susceptible to freezing. You can fix this by adding foam insulation to any of these areas. You can hire a professional for the job, but you can probably do it yourself.
Crank Up the Thermostat
Lowering your thermostat’s temperature is a great way to save on your energy bills, but when it comes to stopping pipe bursts, you should crank up the heat a little. This is especially useful with older homes that have been built on top of an uninsulated crawl space.
Install a Heating Cable
Heating cables plug into an electrical outlet, and are then laid alongside a pipe or wrapped around it. Depending on the type you purchase, they’ll either be ready to use right out of the package or come in a kit that you’ll need to prepare.
Use the “Slow Drip” Method
When your home is experiencing an extremely cold day, a good plan is to turn on a sink just enough to get a slow drip going. This will keep the water flowing enough to prevent freezing.
Shut Off Water Outdoors
While damage concerns are typically focused on the interior of your home, the possibility of a burst outdoor spigot shouldn’t be ignored. Shutting off the water valve will do the trick.
For more expert advice on preventing freezing pipe bursts, or if you have any questions regarding home comfort, be sure to reach out to the incredible experts of Mowery Heating, Cooling and Plumbing. We’ve been serving the HVAC needs of Indianapolis and the surrounding area for over 40 years.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Brownsburg, Indiana and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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