How to Prevent Your Pipes From Freezing

It’s common for pipes to freeze when the weather gets cold. If frozen pipes burst, the results can be disastrous for your home or business. Pipes that burst will pour water into your property, causing severe damage. Prevention is the best method to ensure you avoid this headache and hassle when the temperatures fall.

Tips to Prevent Freezing Pipes

No need to wait for winter — you can start thinking about prevention at any time of the year. There are several steps you can take whenever it’s convenient to prepare your home or business for the colder months.

Some of the simplest and most effective steps you can take to prevent freezing pipes include:

• Maintaining airflow: Prop your interior doors open to keep the air flowing and prevent cold spots. You should also open cabinets and closets often for more circulation.
• Running water: If you’re expecting a deep freeze, let your faucets run at a slow drip. The continuous flow of water will help prevent freezing, and the cost is negligible compared to a broken pipe.
• Adding insulation: Insulate your pipes, especially those exposed to the elements and colder temperatures. You can also add insulation to the ceiling or walls surrounding the pipes for extra protection.
• Sealing cracks: Seal any cracks in your foundation. You should also plug the gaps around any holes where your pipes travel through the walls on the interior and exterior sides to help stop drafts.
• Staying warm: Set your home heating system to at least 55 degrees, even if you plan to stay away. Make sure you keep your garage door closed and your windows secured tightly.
• Covering crawlspaces: Seal any ventilated crawlspaces before winter sets in to reduce drafts. You may want to consider hiring a contractor to ensure you get the right materials and protection.

Gain Added Protection With an Environmental Alarm

If prevention fails, responding quickly can limit how much damage you take from burst pipes. The best way to make sure you’re in the know is an environmental alarm. Environmental alarms are home alarm systems that detect things like changes in temperature and moisture levels. For example, if moisture levels go up because there’s water flowing into your basement, you’ll know right away so you can take appropriate action and limit your losses.

Contact Prestige Security Solutions today to learn more about environmental alarms and the other solutions we offer for keeping your home or business safe and secure.