Homeownership
Prepare your Home for Freezing Temperatures
Nov 27, 2023 Share
Here are some helpful tips to protect your homes as we see an unusual drop in temperature.
Tips to help prevent pipes from freezing
- Secure outdoor hoses, valves and faucets. Before winter hits, disconnect garden hoses.
- Let water drip. A trickle of hot and cold water might be all it takes to keep your pipes from freezing. Let warm water drip overnight when temperatures are cold, preferably from a faucet on an outside wall.
- Adjust the thermostat. Keeping your thermostat set at the same temperature during both day and night also reduces the risk of frozen pipes. During extreme cold, this also helps reduce the strain on the furnace.
- Open cabinet doors. This allows heat to get to un-insulated pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls.
Ways to help avoid frozen pipes while on vacation
Always be sure to winterize your home thoroughly. Before you leave, take measures to protect your home so you can enjoy the time away, rather than worry about pipes and security. A few things to remember include:
- Check the thermostat. Set the thermostat in your house no lower than 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18.33 degrees Celsius). Also be sure to replace the battery in your thermostat.
- Ask for help. Ask a friend or neighbor to check your house daily to make sure it's warm enough to prevent freezing.
- Shut off the water. Shut off and drain the water system.
What to do if pipes freeze
Pipes do not always burst when frozen. There are a few things to keep in mind:
- Call the plumber listed on the breaker panel if needed. If you turn on your faucets and nothing comes out, leave the faucets turned on and call a plumber.
- Avoid use of appliances near water. Do not use electrical appliances in areas of standing water. You could be electrocuted.
- Shut off the water supply. If your water pipes have already burst, turn off the water at the main shutoff valve in the house. Make sure everyone in your family knows where the water shutoff valves and how to open and close it. Be sure to leave the water faucets turned on.
Sometimes condensation or moisture can build up in the corners or sides of your ceiling during cold temperatures.
Here are some tips to prevent condensation in your home.
• Turn on your fans and make sure they run counter clockwise.
• Possibly open door or window for a few minutes to allow the air circulation to dry out the moisture.
• Use a dehumidifier.
