1. Maintain a slow drip in faucets in cold areas.
If you set your faucet to drip a little, it will keep the water moving through the pipes and prevent them from freezing. This isn’t a long-term solution because it does waste water, but it can at least keep your pipes safe overnight until temps rise.
2. Pipe insulation.
In areas of the home that aren’t heated, like the attic, garage and crawl space, install with inexpensive pipe insulation that will protect them in moderately cold weather. More extreme cold temperatures require thermostatically controlled heat tape, which will activate when the temperature drops too low.
3. Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors.
This allows warm air to circulate around the pipes, preventing them from freezing. Do this if you’re going on vacation during the winter months as a precaution.
4. Set your thermostat to 55 degrees or higher when you’re away from home for some time. You don’t want your home to get too cold, even when you’re out of town.
5. Use a space heater.
If you have an area with unprotected pipes, you can use a space heater. The heat doesn’t need to be running full blast, just warm enough to prevent the pipes from freezing. This is more of a temporary solution until the pipes can be properly insulated.
6. Have someone check your house if you’ll be gone for an extended time.
Nothing is worse than coming home to a flood because of a burst pipe. If possible, have a trusted neighbor, friend or family member check on your house every so often, especially when the temperature really begins to drop.
7. Call your local plumber to inspect your home’s plumbing system.
A plumber can identify pipes that are in danger of freezing and recommend a permanent solution. Further, in a worst-case scenario, a plumber can safely reroute pipes through your home to prevent freezing. While this is a costly, intrusive option, it will give you peace of mind knowing that your house won’t flood in the middle of winter.
The best way to deal with frozen pipes is to prevent them from freezing in the first place. Most of the items above are easy to do and relatively inexpensive. We are in the midst of an arctic cold period, but you can still prevent a problem by acting now.
If you have questions or need to talk with one of our technicians, call Nashoba Air & BoilerWorks at (978) 540-8676 or email us. You might also want to read our blog The Nightmare of Frozen Pipes.