Effective Ways to Prevent Frozen Pipes

While summer might be sizzling down, it’s never too early to prepare your plumbing system for the coming winter. A little forward thinking is sure to do a lot to reduce the chances of your pipes freezing over, which could lead to all manner of catastrophe to your house and your finances.

Crank Up the Thermostat

If you live in an older home or one where the pipes aren’t insulated, do yourself a favor and turn up the thermostat whenever the mercury starts dropping. Your heating bill will be higher, but it’s sure to be less expensive than the cleanup involved with dealing with a burst pipe or flooded home.

Proper Preparation Is Key

Any foundation vents that travel to crawl spaces in your home should be covered with foam insulation. It’s also a great idea to go ahead and swing by your local hardware store to pick up a special seal kit in case your pipes do burst this winter or any other time of the year. Go ahead and find out the best way to get in touch with a reputable plumber for emergency situations to save yourself time for dire situations that require immediate attention. Finally, find out where your main water shut-off valve is located so that you can quickly cut off your water in the event of flooding.

Open up Those Cabinet Doors

You should also get into the habit of opening your cabinet doors when temperatures are especially low. This allows warm air to heat up pipes and reduces the chances of them freezing and bursting. If your pipes aren’t near a vent, you can keep them warm with a space heater.

Keeping your pipes from freezing isn’t terribly difficult when you have the right tools and tips. Keep these suggestions in mind as you’re preparing the rest of your home for the next winter season.