How to Prevent Frozen Pipes this Winter

As the temperatures start to drop your pipes are in danger of freezing. Frozen pipes can lead to broken appliances, cracked pipes and even flooding. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to prevent frozen pipes so they won’t ruin your holidays.

Insulate Exposed Pipes

Insulating your pipes is a simple way to prevent freezing. If your current insulation is looking worn, replace it as soon as possible.

Open Cupboard Doors

If it gets very cold outside, open cupboard doors to let warm air circulate around exposed pipes to keep them above freezing temperature.

Carefully Use a Space Heater

When the areas around exposed pipes are especially cold, use a space heater with safety features to warm the area. Set it up a safe distance from the pipes and don’t put cords in high-traffic areas.

Drain Water Where Possible

Use the directions that came with appliances to drain things like hoses, swimming pools, cooling units and other things you won’t be using this winter.

Close the Garage Door

If you have water lines or exposed pipes in your garage, keep the door closed as much as possible to keep the area warmer and prevent freezing.

Keep Your Thermostat set Higher

Keep your thermostat a little higher, even at night, when it’s especially cold outside. American Red Cross suggests setting your thermostat to at least 55 degrees when you go out of town during winter months.

Repair Appliances

To avoid damage this winter, keep appliance in good condition. We specialize in appliance and boiler repair on Long Island, so contact us for maintenance and repairs.

Know How to Thaw Frozen Pipes

If you do face frozen pipes this winter, first check for cracks or bulges. If you don’t notice any problems, open the faucet and use a blow dryer to slowly thaw the pipe. If the pipe is damaged or isn’t exposed or if you aren’t able to thaw it, contact a professional right away.

You can find more tips for preventing frozen pipes and caring for your plumbing on the Pat Dolan Plumbing website.

If your pipes do freeze this winter, contact us. We provide leak detection and repair, appliance repair and boiler repair on Long Island and even offer 24-hour emergency service.