Ways to Keep Your Water Pipes Safe From the Cold

Winter brings many challenges to a home, so it’s a good idea to research and prepare for the cold. Frozen water pipes, in particular, can be a challenging issue in very cold weather. Handyman Connection of Rockville gives you some effective tips to keep your pipes from freezing:

• Prepare Early – Make sure that you have blocks of foam insulation to seal the foundation vents leading to crawl spaces. You should also know the location of your water shutoff in case a water pipe breaks. You also need to have a temporary patch kit to seal off burst pipes while waiting for professionals to fix the problem.

• Open Your Cabinet Doors – Plumbing that runs to an exterior wall or kitchen sink can be very vulnerable to the cold because the wall is not insulated. When you open your cabinet doors along that wall, you project heat into the space and help protect your pipes. You can also place an electric heater in front of the cabinets for more protection.

• Keep Your Attic and Pipes Insulated – You can hire a professional to do this job for you or do this yourself. Assess your insulation needs in your crawl space, attic, and other areas and install insulation over poorly-protected pipes. Fiberglass insulation can prevent your pipes from freezing over and bursting.

• Install a Heating Cable to Prevent a Pipe From Freezing – Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing a heating cable. This cable can keep your pipes warm and prevent them from freezing. You can find them at your local home center or electrical supply house.

If you need more specific and detailed help on your home’s plumbing, then contact us. Handyman Connection of Rockville will be happy to assist you. We can help you out with your home’s general maintenance needs. We are an award-winning company with an 86% recommendation rating by the Washington Consumer Checkbook Guide.  Our skilled experts have decades of experience. Give us a call to learn more about frozen water pipes or to request an estimate.