8 Tips To Prevent Frozen Pipes This Winter

Wisconsin is known for its unforgiving winters and freezing cold temperatures. Blizzards and unbearable cold temperatures and conditions are so intense that winter has become an incredibly stressful time for  everyone. 

Adding to the stress of home ownership is being aware of issues like frozen pipes and water damage it causes. When temperatures drop below freezing, water inside your pipes can freeze. Since water expands when its frozen, pressure increases on your pipes causing them to crack and burst. 

This can lead to water damage, which can cause major expense – and repairs that you don’t need during the winter. 

Take a look at these tips to prevent frozen pipes this winter.

Tips to Prevent Frozen Pipes

1. Set your home’s temperature to 55 degrees or higher. Especially in our Wisconsin winters, not allowing your home to drop below 55 degrees is a must. If you are going to be out of town or away from home for an extended period of time, make sure your thermostat is set at this temperature before you leave the house. 
2. Keep doors closed tightly. Water lines may run through your garage. Keeping the door closed will help keep the internal temperatures warm and prevent the pipes from freezing, bursting, and flooding your garage. 
3. Insulate your pipes. Pipes that are not covered, especially those near exterior walls or in attics or crawl spaces should be wrapped in insulation, towels, or foam covering. 
4. Don’t forget about the outdoors! The chances of you using a hose during the winter months is slim to none. Make sure that all external hoses are detached and stored in a safe place. Turn off the external water valves and sprinkler systems, along with any exterior faucets. 
5. Check the plumbing for any leaks. If you notice air around the pipes, seal the area up right away. The trick is to prevent the air from coming in direct content with the cold. 
6. Get heat flowing over the pipes. While pipes are tucked behind cabinets and against exterior walls, it can be tricky to get heat to them on a regular basis. Open up the cabinets and closet doors to allow more heat into the areas. 
7. Dripping water or small trickle of water will help prevent freezing pipes in the lowest of extreme temperatures. If you know the weather is going to plummet overnight, turn on faucets near the exterior walls to a tiny trickle. The running water will make it more difficult for the water to freeze.
8. If all else fails, work with a professional to move your plumbing to a place where freezing pipes won’t be an issue. If you notice frozen pipes happening on a regular basis, this may be your best option. 

Call A&J Property Restoration to Help With Any Water Damage

While taking all the precautions listed above to winterize your home and make sure that you are ready and prepared for frozen pipe season, burst pipes can still occur. Be sure that you know where your water shut off valve is – and be prepared to use it if necessary. Call a professional at A&J Property Restoration right away, and we can assist with the water damage quickly and with as little disruption as possible to your everyday life. 

Our emergency crew is ready 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – even in the cold winter nights.