If you've been a homeowner for any length of time, you surely know that home ownership comes equipped with many challenging situations. A broken, frozen pipe is a great example of a very preventable situation that can quickly result in extensive property damage and costly repair bills. A burst pipe is truly an emergency situation that needs to be mitigated right away. The following are a few tips for Memphis-area homeowners to protect their home from a frozen pipe disaster when outside temps dip below freezing.
Keep under-sink kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors open during cold snaps. Open cabinets encourage warm air circulation around plumbing pipes, which is especially helpful for pipes on exterior walls. Always remember to remove harmful cleaners and chemicals out of children's reach.
If your home has water supply lines located in the garage, be sure to keep the garage doors closed to preserve as much heat in that space as possible and block out cold drafts. Consider installing garage insulation for long-term protection. Don't forget to take proper measures to winterize pool houses & outdoor kitchens, too!
Keep thermostats set to the same temperature during the day and night. Though the energy savings associated with dropping a thermostat at night time are tempting to many homeowners, your home needs this heat source in order to avoid the much more costly repair of broken pipes and resulting damage due to freezing. It's also recommended to have your home's heating system serviced regularly to ensure proper functionality and reduce the risk of system failure.
Let faucets served by exposed pipes drip or trickle cold water over night. Again, this is a method that will cause an increase in utilities when implemented, but will help prevent expensive damage from occurring due to a burst pipe. For exterior faucets, consider installing an inexpensive Styrofoam faucet cover as an additional layer of protection suitable for our Mid-south climate.
If your home will be vacant during freezing weather, be sure to keep the heat running and thermostat set to 55 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. It's also a smart idea to task a trusted family member or friend to check up on your home while you're away and alert you of any damage that has occurred.
There you have them - Five super simple tips to help avoid disaster and damage due to frozen pipes. Follow these tips and stay warm, dry, and frozen-pipe-free this Winter!
If these tips have come too late for you and you find yourself experiencing a broken pipe emergency, call Nailed It Construction Services NOW at (901) 654-6677 for emergency water mitigation and drying service in the Memphis area. DON'T DELAY!