It’s getting darker and colder outside, and you know what that means—winter’s coming! Snow isn’t far behind, which means chestnuts roasting on an open fire, yuletide carols, and subzero temperatures wreaking havoc on your home’s pipes. We want you to get into the holiday spirit, but first, let’s make sure you’ve prepared your pipes properly for the season change. Follow these simple steps to help prevent your pipes from freezing.
Heat
We all know what happens when it gets cold out: The temperate goes down and your heating bill goes up! You may be tempted to turn the heat off when you leave your house to save some money, but before you do, don’t forget about your pipes. You’ll want to keep the thermostat at least above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring they’re protected while you’re away.
Insulate
This method may be a bit more costly in the short term, but it’s also the most cost-effective in the long run. Before the bitter cold hits, contact a builder to install insulation around your indoor pipes, especially in places where heat is less likely to enter, like crawl spaces and attics. This ensures your pipes will stay nice and toasty even during the frostiest winters.
Doors
Many homeowners don’t think about this easy and quick trick. Get in the habit of leaving all your interior doors open so heat can better circulate through every room in your house. This even distribution of heat helps regulate the house overall and allows all your pipes a chance to stay warm, too.
Drain
If your home happens to have outdoor hoses or faucets, make sure to disconnect or drain them completely using an indoor valve. This prohibits inactive pipes from freezing during cold temperatures. One less thing to stress about while you’re out running around doing your holiday shopping!
Drip
After bedtime when not a creature is stirring (not even a mouse), running water isn’t safely flowing through your pipes. This stagnation can actually cause quick freezing by the time you wake up the next morning. We recommend occasionally leaving a slow, warm drip from your faucets and showers to keep the water moving on the coldest of nights.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, so don’t let frozen pipes happen to you! If you do need assistance this winter season, our experienced technicians can help. Call us at (603) 945-7355 or submit an online request through the form on this page.