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How to Prevent Frozen Pipes
When it comes to the dreaded prospect of frozen pipes, a pipe burst can cause serious damage to your home, not to mention the mess and inconvenience of having no running water. So what can you do to prevent your pipes from freezing in the first place? Read on to learn more.
Keep Your Thermostat at the Same Temperature Day and Night
This may seem obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people lower the heat at night to save money without realizing that doing so puts their pipes at risk. The key is to keep the temperature in your home consistent day and night, even if it means paying a few extra dollars on your heating bill. Trust us. It's worth it.
Let Your Faucets Drip Overnight
Another simple tip that can make a big difference is letting your faucets drip overnight during cold snaps. This may seem counterintuitive—won't dripping water just freeze and cause my pipes to burst?—but actually, the opposite is true. Allowing a slow drip of water to run through your pipes helps prevent them from freezing by relieving the pressure that can build up when water freezes.
Insulate Your Exposed Pipes
If you have exposed pipes in your home, ensure they are properly insulated before winter sets in. You can buy special foam insulation designed for this purpose at most hardware stores or use something as simple as newspaper or towels if you're in a pinch. Make sure there are no gaps or openings through which cold air can seep in and freeze the pipe.
Keep Cabinet Doors Open During Cold Snaps
One last tip: if you have plumbing in the exterior walls of your home, keep the cabinet doors open during cold snaps so that heat from inside can reach the pipes and prevent them from freezing.