Avoid Frozen Pipes with These 4 Tips

Steven Depolo via Flickr, CC by 2.0

Winter can be a beautiful time of year with all the snow, but freezing temperatures can wreak havoc on your pipes if you are not prepared. Now is the time, before we dip down into freezing temperatures, to take preventative steps to keep your pipes from damage.

1. If you are heading South for the winter or even just for a few weeks, set your thermostat no lower than 55 degrees in your home to avoid plumbing and other problems.
   
2. With extreme cold, open your kitchen and bathroom cabinets to allow warmer air to circulate around the pipes to keep them from freezing. Another tip, wrap your pipes in cloth to keep them protected.
   
3. Seal any cracks in your foundation to keep cold air from coming into your home.
   
4. If you have water supply lines in your garage, take extra care to keep your garage door closed.

On the off chance you pipes do freeze, turn off the main valve, open both your cold and hot water taps, and call a qualified plumber.