Homeowner Tips: 7 Ways to prevent frozen pipes and water damage
Updated November 13, 2024 | Published November 4, 2024
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Categories:
- Home Lending
Winter weather can wreak havoc on your home, especially if you’re unprepared for freezing temperatures. One common problem is frozen pipes. Although easily preventable, frozen pipes can lead to costly water damage. Are you a snowbird who likes to leave New England winters for a warm, second home down south? If so, protecting your New England home is especially important while your away. Here are 7 ways to protect your pipes and prevent freezing:
How to winterize your pipes
1. Keep your heat on
This is the easiest way to prevent frozen pipes. Even when you are away from your home, keep your thermostat set to at least 55°F (13°C). And be sure to regularly run hot water through the pipes to warm them up, if possible.
2. Insulate exposed pipes
Insulate pipes in unheated areas like crawl spaces, basements, and attics. Use pipe insulation that is specifically designed for cold weather. Consider using pipe heat tape or foam insulation to keep pipes close to exterior walls warm.
3. Disconnect exterior water hoses
Remove hoses before the first freeze. Leaving hoses connected to outdoor faucets can allow water to freeze and expand, potentially causing pipes to burst. Drain the outdoor faucets completely to prevent water from freezing inside. Cover the outdoor faucets by wrapping them in several layers of fabric and securing them with a plastic bag as your final layer. Shut off the valves leading to outdoor faucets to prevent water from reaching the hoses.
See our Fall Home Maintenance Checklist for more tips
4. Open cabinet doors
If it is going to be particularly cold, or you will be away from your home for an extended period of time, leave your cabinet doors open where you have sinks. This will allow warm air from your heaters to circulate around pipes located near exterior walls.
5. Insulate hot water heater
Water heater insulation blankets are made specifically to keep the water in your heater warm. Plus, by reducing the amount of energy needed to heat your water, you’ll save yourself money on winter energy bills.
6. Seal drafts and check for leaks
Regularly check your home for signs of leaks, such as drafts or wet spots on the ceiling or walls. Seal drafts around windows and doors with calk or weather stripping and seal foundation cracks with injection foam. It’s best to consult a professional when dealing with foundation cracks to know exactly how you should deal with yours.
7. Prepare for power outages
Have a backup plan. If your power goes out, you’ll need a way to keep your pipes from freezing. Consider using a generator or portable heater. If you’ve already insulated your pipes and water heater, you’ve taken some great first steps to prepare for power outages.
Know the signs of frozen pipes
- Cold spots: Feel your pipes for cold spots.
- No water: If you can’t get water from a faucet, it may be due to a frozen pipe.
- Gurgling sounds: Gurgling sounds from your pipes can indicate a blockage or a frozen pipe.
Thaw frozen pipes safely
If you find your pipes have frozen or are starting to get too cold, take these precautions quickly before they burst.
- Use a hair dryer: Apply warm air to the frozen section of the pipe.
- Wrap with a heating pad: Wrap the frozen section with a heating pad set on low.
- Avoid open flames: Never use a torch or other open flame to thaw frozen pipes. The intense heat from the flame could cause pipes to burst, plastic to melt, or risk a fire starting. Always practice fire safety and have a fire extinguisher in your home!
By following these tips, you can help prevent frozen pipes and the costly damage they can cause. Remember, prevention is key when it comes to protecting your home from winter weather. Make sure that you are properly covered by your homeowners insurance policy. Our insurance agency, WebFirst Insurance, can find you the right coverage with a policy that fits your needs.