With temperatures dipping during this season, you’ll need to winterize your plumbing system—especially your pipes. If they get too cold, the water inside them could freeze and expand. The pipes could then burst, causing water damage to your home. Here are a few tips to help you avoid these issues.

3 Ways to Prevent Your Pipes From Freezing

1. Expose Them to Heated Air

Some of your pipes don’t have any access to the warm air your home heating system produces—such as those in your basement or garage. However, those in your kitchen and bathroom are close to the warm temperatures. On especially chilly nights, open the cabinets in these rooms to allow warm air into those under-sink spaces.

2. Insulate Your Pipes

Keep your pipes warm by wrapping them with foam insulation. The material will trap inherent heat inside these channels, preventing the water from freezing. In extreme conditions, you can also apply heat tape along the plumbing system, which provides added warmth and can be controlled with a thermostat.

3. Check for Drafty Areas

If your home doesn’t have proper insulation, cold winter air might drift inside. Feel around door and window frames for a chilly breeze, and fill in holes or cracks with caulking. You might also need to replace broken or worn weatherstripping. One of the most common sites is behind the dryer, where there’s a hole for the vent to lead outside. Since water pipes are likely connected to the neighboring washing machine, these are especially vulnerable to freezing.

If you’re hoping to avoid the hassle of frozen pipes this winter, Buck’s Plumbing & Sewer Service in Cookeville, TN, has over 57 years of experience in the business, providing everything from drain cleaning to sewer line installations. This family-owned and -operated company prides itself on punctual service and lasting repairs to customers in Putnam and the surrounding counties. To learn more about their plumbing work, visit their website, or call (931) 528-1157 to arrange for service.