With winter’s arrival comes the risk of frozen water pipes and other water issues. When a frozen pipe bursts, it can flood your home. A crack as small as 1/8th of an inch can spew hundreds of gallons of water per day, causing thousands of dollars in damages. In addition, an ice dam in your home’s gutters can cause water to seep into interior walls, causing structural damage and mold.
The main causes of frozen pipes are poor insulation, sudden temperature drops and thermostats set too low. The time to prepare your home for winter is now, while the weather is still relatively mild.
Protect your home in advance by:
- Insulating water pipes in the attic, basement or crawl spaces, and near outer walls, all of which are most susceptible to freezing;
- Insulating walls and attics to prevent heat loss;
- Sealing air leaks that allow cold air inside around electrical wiring, dryer vents and pipes;
- Draining, disconnecting and storing garden hoses;
- Shutting off and draining water from pipes leading to outside faucets (keep the outside valves open, however, to allow any remaining water to expand without causing pipe breakage);
- Adding extensions to downspouts so that water runs at least three to four feet away from the foundation; and
- Draining the water system if your home will be unattended during the winter months.
Clogged gutters and outdoor drains allow the formation of ice dams, where melted snow refreezes in the gutters and seeps in under the roof. Ice dams can also keep your home’s drainage systems from working properly. To prevent ice dams from forming, clean all leaves and debris from gutters at the end of autumn, and make sure the attic is properly ventilated.
When freezing temperatures arrive, some additional steps to take include:
- Allowing a trickle of warm water to drip from faucets located on exterior walls;
- Setting your thermostat no lower than 55 degrees overnight;
- Keeping cabinet doors open to allow heat to circulate around pipes under sinks and appliances located near exterior walls; and
- Keeping garage doors closed if water supply lines are located there.
Taking a few extra precautions ahead of the arrival of freezing temperatures will ensure that your home is well-protected against potential water issues caused by Old Man Winter.