As the temperatures begin to plummet, your home’s pipes may be in danger of freezing. Frozen pipes create excess pressure that leads to bursting and water damage in your living space. To avoid flooding, follow these tips.

How to Keep Plumbing From Freezing

1. Leave a Little Heat

Avoid turning off the heat completely, even if you’re going away for an extended period. The temperature inside your home can drop too dramatically, which creates the perfect conditions for water in pipes to freeze and build pressure. While you don’t need the heat at your usual cozy settings, set it to kick on when it drops below 55 degrees Fahrenheit; this saves you from discovering water damage when you return.

2. Insulate Pipes

If you have places without insulation, like basements, garages, and attics, insulating the pipes can stop them from freezing. Pipe insulation can be applied to any area that you feel gets too cold. Your local hardware store has foam or fiberglass sleeves that easily slip over pipes. You may also opt to add insulation to walls and ceilings for additional warmth.

3. Open the Faucet

Leaving a slight drip can counteract pressure building in pipes that leads to bursting. Let faucets gently leak if they’re near pipes that are in danger of freezing, particularly those along exterior walls or in locations without heat like garages. For faucets with both hot and cold taps, open both.

4. Crack Doors

Allow the heat from the rest of your home to keep pipes from freezing by opening cabinet doors. The warm air circulates and balances temperatures. Also, open all interior doors throughout your home so that warm air moves freely throughout.

5. Fix Cracks

Seal holes and cracks near pipes to prevent cold air from permeating the area. Also, consider fixing other gaps and drafts in your home so that a dip in temperatures doesn’t cause pipes to freeze. Caulking around openings is a quick, effective solution.

If you have frozen pipes that have burst, water damage is inevitable. Contact America’s Best Cleaning & Restoration Services, a La Crosse, WI, cleaning company that specializes in restoring your home. Whether you need carpet cleaning or mold remediation, their expert staff is ready to tackle the project. With nearly three decades of experience, the cleaning company has multiple locations in Minnesota and Wisconsin for their clients’ convenience. To schedule services, call (608) 782-6995. Visit the website for a look at their current coupons.