Winterizing Your Home

Cold winters can be tough on the pipes in your home! As temperatures drop below freezing, the water in your pipes can freeze and cause your pipes to crack or burst. Pipes can crack and burst due to the pressure that builds up when the water inside freezes. Cracks can be so small that you may not be able to see them with the naked eye, but can still leak water!

The best way to prevent pipes from freezing, is to build homes so that pipes are placed inside of heated areas only. Protect your pipes by keeping them out of outside walls, crawl spaces, and attics. It is also important to make sure that when building a new home to properly insulate the pipes.

While the best solution is to place pipes in the proper areas, older homes can still be winterized! If possible, it is best to hire a licensed contractor to re-route pipes into areas that are better protected. If the pipes cannot be re-routed, other protective measures can be taken! When the temperatures begin to drop below freezing open all of the faucets, so they are dripping slightly. Close any holes in walls or foundations that are in close proximity with exposed pipes to prevent cold air from reaching the pipes. Any kitchen and cabinet doors should be left open so that warm air can reach closer to the pipes. Pipes can also be outfitted with insulation sleeves or wrapping to keep them warmer. Also, a constant level of heating in your home should be maintained even when you are not at home!

While it may be easy to forget, winterizing your pipes today could save you from potential cracks, bursts, or flooding in the future!

Contributed by Lindsey Wright

 

https://www.scemd.org/news/winter-weather-preparedness-week/

https://www.scemd.org/media/1008/sc-winter-weather-guide.pdf