3 Ways to Prevent a Burst Pipe

With colder weather quickly approaching and a colder than usual El Nino winter being predicted, the time to start preparing your Easton home’s plumbing system against frozen and burst pipes is now. Don’t get caught with thousands of dollars in water damage repairs when a few simple winterizing techniques can mean the difference in keeping your plumbing system functioning throughout the winter season. Here are three ways to prevent the pipes in your home from bursting due to freezing temperatures:

Maintaining Outdoor Plumbing

When water freezes it expands, putting pressure on the pipes that contain the water. Any pipes that are rusting or have weak joints are quicker to burst, therefore, if you have any plumbing leaks it is a good idea to have these pipes replaced before winter arrives. Outside faucets, water sprinkler and swimming pool supply lines should be drained and the inside valve shut-off. Remember to keep the outside faucets open so that any water remaining will flow and not freeze.

Keep Cold Areas Warm

Certain places where pipes run should be given extra attention by directing heat into the area to keep the pipes from freezing. Under the kitchen and bathroom sink cabinets where pipes run along exterior walls should have the doors remain open to allow heat to enter. Heating ducts can be directed towards piping wherever possible.

Holes in exterior walls where heating ducts, cable and telephone lines enter should be caulked to prevent heat from escaping. If you will be away from your home for a length of time, make sure to keep the thermostat set at least sixty degrees to keep the exterior walls from becoming too cold.

The More Insulation, The Better

For particularly cold areas such as crawl spaces, cold basement areas, unheated garages and attics, the best protection against burst pipes is insulation. Using loose insulation or blankets in the attic and crawl spaces may be effective for most cold temperatures. For pipes that are prone to freezing in Easton basements and garages, they should be fitted with insulation sleeves or wrapped with heat tape. Some plumbing is hard to access and a qualified plumber can not only evaluate the pipes potential for freezing, but also choose the proper method of insulation.

Burst pipes do not have to be a part of your winter experience no matter how cold the temperatures get, if you follow these simple preventative methods to prevent your pipes from freezing.

Avoid a costly pipe burst with these key tips! Call AmeriServe at (610) 258-2591 for repairs in your Easton, PA home.