How to Prevent Frozen Pipes this Winter & Prevent Damage

Between the snowstorms, ice sheets and the freezing temperatures, Brooklyn residents are aware they’ll need to take precautions to stay warm this winter.

But your home’s plumbing also needs some attention during the colder months to prevent your pipes from freezing, bursting and causing all kinds of damage. Insurance companies estimate the average loss related to frozen pipes is $27,000 in repairs.

While you can’t control the weather, there are some things you can do to keep your pipes snug and warm. Read on to learn more or simply reach out to the expert Brooklyn plumbers at Petry Plumbing & Heating today!

5 Ways to Prevent Pipes Freezing:

• Insulate your pipes. Most of your pipes are probably insulated in your home’s walls, but if you have exposed pipes in your basement or crawl space or in external spaces, you’ll need to make sure they stay warm. Wrapping them with pipe insulation or heat tape can keep them from freezing when temperatures drop.
• Put your outdoor hose up during the winter. You shouldn’t leave your hose attached to the outdoor spigot during the winter. It’s a magnet for cold air to come into your plumbing system. Take the hose off and store it. You can also consider installing a valve that allows you to turn off all water flow to the exterior pipes.
• Shut off the water when you’re away on vacation. If you’re planning a winter getaway, locate your main shutoff valve and turn the water off completely while you’re away. With no water running through the system, ice can’t form and burst your pipes.
• Open cabinet doors. Another easy trick to keep your pipes warm is to open your kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors so the pipes under your sinks can receive warmth from the house.
• On really cold days, let the water drip. A tiny trickle of water running through the system can help keep your pipes from freezing. If you’re concerned about conservation, however, consider the options above.

But, just like the best-laid plans of mice and men, sometimes all the prevention in the world doesn’t stop the pipes from freezing. If they do, turn off your water supply immediately. If the pipes are accessible and not near standing water, you could try to use a hair dryer to thaw them out. But DO NOT use an open flame to warm pipes up. For more tips and information, be sure to check out our post about how to avoid costly damage from frozen pipes.

Emergency Brooklyn Plumbers Available 24/7

If you are concerned about your pipes freezing, call your Brooklyn plumbing experts at Petri Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Drain Cleaning. Our professional plumbers can not only help you safely thaw your pipes, but they can repair or replace any damaged plumbing.

Petri is an emergency plumber in Brooklyn and can be reached 24/7 by calling (718) 748-1254. Don’t let damaged pipes cause even more damage to your home and your surroundings.