How to prevent your pipes from freezing or bursting
A few small preventative measures could save you thousands of dollars in damage. Here’s what Consumer Reports recommends
The last thing you want to deal with in winter is burst pipes. And while some things are out of your control, there are steps you can take to try to ensure your pipes don’t end up freezing or worse.
Experts at Consumer Reports compiled a list of tips and tricks for homeowners to make sure their water pipes don’t ruin their winter — and cost them thousands of dollars in the process.
Continue reading to see the suggestions.
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Open your cabinet doors
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Pipes need heat, and if they’re hidden behind cabinet doors, they’re getting less warmth than if the doors are open. It might seem like a small difference, but it’s important to let warm air circulate around them.
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Keep your water on
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CR recommends letting a small amount of water drip from faucets if you’re worried about your pipes freezing. Just a little bit of water running through the pipes can prevent them from getting frozen.
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Don’t lower your home’s temperature at night
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CR says it's not worth the small amount of money saved at night — and even a small decrease in temperature can make a difference in your pipes' health.
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Leave the heat on when you leave
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This one may be more obvious, but it’s important to remember: Don’t turn off your heat even if you’re not going to be home. Keep at no lower than 55, CR said.
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Insulate
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Insulating your pipes is easy and affordable. You can buy pipe insulation at a local hardware store, and it could be the difference between burst pipes and working ones.
CR also suggests adding insulation to attics, basements, and other crawl spaces if they don’t already have them to keep your home — and pipes — nice and warm.