One Hundred Dollars a Month

There’s more than just a chill in the air, now it’s just plain old cold.  If you live in an area where winters are super harsh, or if you live in an older house, now is the time to start taking steps to make sure your pipes don’t freeze.  Because water expands when it freezes, frozen pipes can lead to busted pipes–which can lead to tons of money out of the door in repairs.  A few easy steps could save you some moolah and heartache.

First things first, locate your pipes, if you don’t already know.   Pipes in uninsulated attics and crawlspaces can be vulnerable to freezing.  So, make sure that any cracks or holes in the foundation, roof, and/or walls are sealed up.  Think about where cable lines or phone lines enter the house , if a hole was drilled to get them into the house, that tiny hole could be enough to freeze your pipes {depending on  your location, of course}.

If you live in an area that a freeze is less common {like me}, your pipes are actually more susceptible to the weather.  They will likely be located in places where they aren’t protected, because freezing is so unlikely.  So, if you get a freeze warning in an area like that, make sure to take proper precaution by insulating the pipes or using a special heat tape.

In the dead of winter, simply opening cabinet doors to expose pipes to the heat of the house can go a long way.  Also, if your house is in an area that is susceptible to frozen pipes, it’s best not to drop your thermostat at night during those coldest nights.  Keep the temperature steady–even the slightest drop can tip the scales.

Remember your outside faucets have pipes that can freeze too.  So, make sure to disconnect hoses, etc. that would encourage water to stay in that short span of pipe behind the exterior of your house.

If you travel during the holidays, or just to get away for a little winter-blues therapy, resist the urge to turn down your heat below 55 degrees.  Shut off the water before you leave.  If you can, also drain the whole system.  If turning the water off isn’t an option for you, it’s probably in your best interest to have a neighbor check in on your house, just to make sure it stays warm enough and all is well.

Running water is awesome.  Broken pipes are not.  So, how do you keep your pipes happy in the winter cold?

~Mavis