It’s been said before, and I have to agree, that the best part about winter in Kentucky is that very first thick layer of snow that falls on the rolling hills that surround Lexington. Snuggling up beside the fireplace with something warm to drink and watching the snow fall is one of my favorite pastimes. There’s just something magical about watching it cover absolutely everything in that pristine sparkly white fluff. 

Unfortunately, the cold weather in Kentucky often creates major difficulties as well, and I’m not referring to the stand-still traffic on New Circle. No, this issue forms right in our own home: Frozen Pipes! It doesn’t have to be snowing, sleeting, or even cloudy for your pipes to freeze, but it does have to be cold outside.

Frozen pipes can wreak massive amounts of mayhem in your home, and usually occurs in Kentucky homes during the month of January. From flooding issues, to electrical outages, it will make you miserable. According to the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS), a 1/8th inch crack in a pipe can spew up to 250 gallons of water a day. Water damage and freezing account for almost 22 percent of all homeowners’ insurance claims, averaging a whopping $4,024 per claim, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III).

So, let’s get a plan in place. When the temperatures get beyond chilly, here’s a simple checklist to follow to (hopefully) keep your pipes from freezing:

• Turn the thermostat to a minimum of 55 degrees, even if the house is unoccupied. While this preventative measure may rack up a higher heating bill in uninhabited homes, it will greatly reduce the chances of a costly repair job.
• If the home is going to be vacant for an extended period of time, turn off and drain the water supply prior to leaving.
• Turn the hot and cold water taps to a trickle. Water slowly moving throughout the pipes may help keep them from freezing.
• Open your cabinets in the kitchen and bathrooms, especially if they are on an outside wall. 
• Ensure exposed pipes in the attic and crawl spaces are protected by insulation. A great, cost-effective way to insulate exposed pipes is using inexpensive, foam sleeves available at most home improvement and hardware stores.   
• Disconnect and drain your garden hoses. My parents’ home experienced a flood from pipes that froze and burst after my dad forgot to disconnect a garden hose a few years ago. This is such a simple thing to forget!

If you notice your pipes are frozen, here are some steps to follow to get you back on track. MOVE QUICKLY! The longer you wait for repairs, the more damage your home will be left with. 

• Go to your kitchen sink and turn on both hot and cold taps.
• Find the source. If you have exposed pipes in your garage or basement, frosted over pipes will likely be a good indicator that the pipe is frozen in that area.
• If you are able to identify a frozen pipe this way, quickly turn off the source for that pipe, turning your shut off valve. 
• Apply heat. Use a hair dryer or towels soaked in hot water to try thawing the pipes. 
• If you are unable to locate the source of the frozen pipe, call us immediately! 859-490-0996
• Have a professional inspect the pipes after a hard freeze to ensure there are no cracks or damage you are unable to see. 

Remember that frozen pipes occur in every type of home. New and old, brick and siding, urban and rural. You aren’t safe from the harsh cold, so your home isn’t either!