How to Keep Your Pipes From Freezing | Garden State Home Loans | NJ Skip to content
Jan 05
, How to Keep Your Pipes From Freezing

How to Keep Your Pipes From Freezing

Keep your pipes from freezing

A real threat to your home during the winter is your pipes. When water freezes, it expands, which can cause your pipes to burst and your home to flood. The damage caused to your home can be monumental, and on average, amounts to about $18,000 in damages. Here’s how to keep your pipes from freezing.

  1. Drain your pipes

Getting the water out of the pipes certainly helps. If there’s no water in the pipes, there’s no chance of it freezing! To do so, tackle any water lines leading to your garden hose, pool, and/or sprinkler. After the water valves are shut off, open the spigots to let out any remaining water.

  1. Keep it on

Let your faucets drip once temperatures drop below freezing. Allowing water to run through a pipe helps to prevent the pipes from freezing. It doesn’t have to be a stream, just a trickle will do! The running water helps to relieve any pressure building up from ice inside.

  1. Open doors

Indoor pipes can also be an issue when temperatures drop below freezing. One way to reduce this risk is to keep any bathroom or kitchen cabinet doors open that contain pipes. The improved airflow keeps the pipes warmer.

  1. Insulate piping

This is especially important in areas that are left unheated or are not insulated. Such spaces can include your basement, attic, or any crawl spaces. Any piping in these areas should be insulated using an insulation sleeve or wrapping, both of which can be purchased at a local hardware store.

  1. Shut off water

Many people take vacations during the winter. If you are traveling during the holidays or taking a family vacation, it’s a good idea to turn your water off completely while you are gone. Unused water is most likely to freeze, which can lead to pipes bursting. You definitely don’t want to come home to a flooded house! The water shut-off valve is usually located where water pipes enter the home. Typically, this is in the kitchen, basement, or a downstairs bathroom. If you are unsure of where your water shut-off valve is, check your property records.