8 Proactive Ways to Prevent a Busted Pipe in Freezing Temps

Old Man Winter hates your water pipes, and he won’t think twice about causing them to burst. Fortunately, you have several options to keep your pipes safe and sound. But you need to act now and take preventative measures when possible. Here are eight things you can do today to prevent a busted pipe in freezing temps.

 

1. Set a Reasonable Indoor Temperature

 

Some experts recommend keeping your indoor temperature no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Others say 65 degrees should be the minimum.

 

Either temperature is usually not a problem if someone is going to be home for 24 hours. But often people like to switch off their heating unit or lower temperatures overnight or when they’re away.

 

Doing so during freezing weather could be costly. It’s better to pay extra electricity costs than to face a huge plumbing bill. You should also schedule a maintenance check for your thermostat to ensure that it’s accurate and can maintain your chosen temperature.

 

2. Wrap Pipes in Insulation

 

Inexpensive insulation around exposed plumbing serves much the same purpose for pipes as your cozy, puffy winter jacket does for you. The insulation keeps the cold air from lowering the pipe’s temperature. Meanwhile, it locks whatever heat the pipe has in place. If you don’t have insulation available, substitute towels or even newspaper.

 

3. Add Insulation to Colder Parts of Your Home

 

Insulating basements and attics can sometimes prevent the need to insulate pipes. Well-insulated rooms can often maintain a temperature sufficient to avoid frozen pipes.

 

4. Use Alerts

 

You could install a temperature monitor in rooms and spaces that have vulnerable pipes. You’d receive a warning when the temperature drops to the predetermined dangerous level.

 

5. Use Warm Water From Your Water Heater

 

Install an automated circulating pump for your water heater. When the temperature inside your pipes drops below a set level, the pump regulates the temperature by sending warm water throughout the system.

 

6. Use Space Heaters

 

Space heaters can be handy in rooms that have exposed pipes. The space heaters don’t have to warm the rooms to the same level as your primary living spaces. They only need to keep the temperature out of the danger zone. That means there’s a good chance that you can keep the heaters on a lower setting and save money.

 

7. Allow Warm Air to Reach Under-Cabinet Pipes

 

You probably keep the doors of your bathroom vanity and kitchen sink cabinet closed. But during cold weather, leaving those cabinet doors open is a good idea. If you keep your bathroom and kitchen at a reasonable temperature, you should have enough warm air circulating to keep those pipes safe.

 

8. Keep the Water Flowing

 

Turn the faucets on just enough to create a small, steady stream of water. Running water is unlikely to freeze, giving you a simple tactic for keeping your pipes from bursting. To understand how this works, consider ponds and rivers. It’s not surprising when a quiet pond freezes over hard enough for ice skating, but it’s newsworthy when a flowing river turns to ice.

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