Essential Plumbing Hints For Enduring Bitter Cold Weather

Cold weather is upon us. While we do not want frozen water pipes, how can we prevent this? Is there a way? Alton business Ozarks Plumbing gave these helpful hints to protect your water line.

Water Drips

Letting your water drip is one of the first ways to prevent frozen pipes. Moving water freezes slower than standing water.

Close In Skirting

Opening the skirting or underneath the flooring can allow winds to flow through and lower the temperature sooner, possibly allowing pipes to freeze.

Insulate Pipes

While the day of a freeze may not be your best choice, insulating your pipes is a key to frozen pipe prevention. You can purchase insulation from Simpson’s True Value or other hardware stores.

Space Heater

Small space heaters are a good idea. They also keep the pipes from freezing. One can open lower cabinet doors or even place the heater under the house to maximize efficiency. Be sure to have a working carbon monoxide detector to prevent injuries.

Vacant House

Even if the house is vacant, leaving your furnace set low, like at 50 degrees, is good. This will prevent pipes from freezing.

Frozen Pipes?

Now, what if you messed up and your pipes froze? There are precautions you should take.

1. Turn off your water. This should be done at the main.
2. Turn on a few faucets.
3. Turn off your water heater.

These are easy ways to protect your home that almost anyone can do. No one wants frozen pipes or to go without water while waiting for a spring thaw. When bad weather does strike, you are not alone. Feel free to contact the experts at Ozarks Plumbing with any questions or concerns.