What To Do To Prevent Frozen or Bursting Pipes

8/13/2020 (Permalink)

Allowing faucets to drip may prevent a broken pipe.

Three Simple Ways to Help Prevent Frozen or Bursting Pipes

For individuals in Ogden, UT  who leave their homes for extended periods of time during cold weather, it may be important to know what to do to prevent water pipes from freezing and bursting. Water in a pipe that freezes and ultimately bursts may result in a family’s returning to a flooded home. This could create a terrible situation for a homeowner. While water damage repair professionals can certainly be called to complete a water pipe repair due to a broken pipe, there are steps that a homeowner can take to prevent the situation from occurring in the first place. Here are three simple ways to help prevent frozen or bursting pipes.

1. Keep the Heat On and Keep the Air Circulating

In cold climates, it may be very helpful to keep the heater turned on anytime that the house will be vacant. Keeping the heat turned to at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit may help to prevent pipes from freezing. Additionally, opening cabinet doors underneath sinks and where pipes are located may help air to circulate around pipes and keep them warm. (The electric or gas heating bill may be a bit higher than simply turning the heat off. However, considering the mess that a flooded home can cause due to a burst pipe, the added heating cost may be worth it!)

2. Turn Water in the Home Off or Allow Faucets to Drip

A homeowner may choose to turn the water to the home off entirely. However, if water is to remain on while the family is out of town, keeping faucets open a little bit may prevent a broken pipe. Water expands when it freezes. Therefore, faucets that drip can help prevent the freezing of stationary water and relieve pressure inside the pipes, avoiding the need for a water pipe repair due to a rupture.

3. Wrap Pipes in Foam

Another simple way to avoid a water pipe repair is to wrap pipes in foam to keep the pipes warm. The warmer the pipes are, the better the chances are for everything to run smoothly while a homeowner is away!