Frozen pipes are an unfortunate common side effect of winter’s bitter chill. Falling temperatures can cause exposed plumbing to ice over, causing water inside to freeze, expand, and potentially burst. You can avoid plumbing repairs and water damage simply by taking a few precautionary steps before the temperatures dip too low. Here are a few ways to protect the pipes from the cold.

How to Protect Your Pipes During a Cold Spell

1. Open Up the Faucets

Opening the faucets is a simple way to bring warm air into contact with cold pipes. That warmth will relieve some of the pressure affecting the system, thereby letting water flow more freely so that there’s no chance of a freeze-and-burst situation that requires emergency plumbing repairs. If you have a faucet with both hot and cold handles, make sure to open them both to a slow drip overnight. If there’s just one handle, allow warm water to drip.

2. Leave Cabinet Doors Open

Since many pipes are situated within the cabinets, it’s important to allow as much warm air inside as possible. While it’s best to do this with as many cabinets as possible, it’s particularly important not to neglect the ones that are situated against exterior walls. Any warmth circulating inside your house will have a much easier time heating up the pipes. It helps to keep the thermostat set at a uniform temperature all day long.

3. Add Effective Pipe Insulation  

The pipes most likely to require plumbing repairs are those in exposed, typically unheated spaces, like basements, crawl spaces, and attics. Your plumbing company can add insulation with a high R-value—or one that provides effective resistance to the airflow in the space; this is key to protecting the pipes. Take every precaution to cover the entire length of the pipe, including the bends, to prevent any chance of freezing.

Are you concerned about exposed pipes freezing in your home? You can trust the experts at Joe Klosterman Plumbing to help. Based in Cincinnati, OH, they’ve served homeowners throughout the Tri-State area since 1983. They can handle any type of plumbing repair, whether you’re dealing with a broken pipe, require drain cleaning, or have a leak somewhere in the house. You can visit their website to find out more about their services, or give them a call at (513) 941-6766 to schedule an appointment for plumbing repairs.