Prevent Frozen Pipes

As temperatures fall, water in your home’s pipe can freeze and burst in your walls, causing thousands of dollars worth of damage – damage that can easily be avoided with some simple DIY maintenance you can complete in an afternoon.

Take these four simple steps to keep at-risk pipes from freezing:  

1. Check problem areas. The pipes most at risk of freezing are those that run against uninsulated or poorly insulated exterior walls, and pipes in unheated locations, such as basements, crawl spaces, attics, and garages, and in kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Inspect both hot and cold water pipes in these areas to make sure they are adequately insulated. If not, spend an afternoon wrapping them with Frost King’s Tubular and Rubber Pipe Insulation. This easy-to-install product slips over pipes quickly and easily. Use with Frost King’s pre-formed Tee and Elbow connections to easily create a tight seal.
   
   


2. Have an open door policy. Keep the doors on bathroom and kitchen cabinets where plumbing is located open — this lets warm air circulate around pipes to keep them from freezing. You may also want to let the faucet drip slightly to keep water moving in the pipes.
   
   


3. Keep things warm. Don’t let your thermostat dip below 55°F – even if you are traveling and will be away from home.
   
   


4. Maintain outdoor spaces. If you have an attached garage, keep doors closed to protect water pipes in the garage and in garage walls. Drain outdoor spigots and turn off the water supply, or cover them with Frost King Faucet Protectors which fit over the spigot to provide an extra layer of insulation.

If you do end up with a frozen or leaking pipe, turn the water supply off and call a licensed plumber to make repairs. 

Find more great tips on getting your home winter ready at frostking.com