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During the winter months, the water in your sump pump is at risk of freezing. This often happens overnight when temperatures bottom out. Frozen pumps run the risk of bursting, leading to water damage and costly repairs. Prevent this from happening to you by adhering to three basic yet effective tips.

How to Prevent a Frozen Sump Pump

1. Keep Water Running

sump pumpThe simplest and most well-known tip is also the most important. When freezing temperatures threaten your home, you can prevent disaster by simply allowing your water to run. All that's needed is a steady, constant stream for this to work. Check every sink, faucet, bathtub, and shower in your home to ensure every part of your system is covered. Flowing water contains much more energy, and because energy has heat, this prevents freezing.

2. Add Insulation

Insulation does an excellent job of maintaining a comfortable and more constant temperature. This is true for your home as well as your pipes. A plumbing contractor can install additional insulation to keep freezing air from penetrating the walls. Even an additional inch of thickness can prevent damage caused by frozen water. Wrap your discharge line as well for the ultimate protection.

3. Open Cabinet Doors

Another simple method for preventing sump pump freezing is to keep all the interior doors in your home open. This includes those to the bathroom, bedroom, and even to your pantry and cabinets. This is especially true if those doors lead to direct piping such as the ones beneath your bathroom sink. By doing this, you allow the warmer air within your home to better circulate around those exposed pipes, which, in turn, keeps the water within warm.

 

Keep your sump pump healthy by sticking to these tips. If your pipes do freeze, call a plumbing contractor right away. Those in Lincoln, NE, trust Biggerstaff Plumbing Heating & Air. This family-owned business has been serving residents and business owners since 1957. Their full list of services includes plumbing repair, garbage disposal repair, HVAC services, and even air cleaning services. For more information, visit their website or call (402) 466-8118 today.

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