The dreaded Polar Vortex is hitting us again and it can become an in-home disaster if your water pipes freeze up. Homeowners need to make sure water pipes are protected so you don’t wake up in the middle of the night to a flooded house!
Most homes’ water pipes are safe but some homes, especially those with garages under living space or those with pipes running through unheated areas, should take measures to keep pipes from freezing:
- Insulate pipes in unheated areas like crawlspaces, unheated garages and attics.
- Pay special attention to pipes near basement windows and make sure they are well insulated.
- Leave some heat on in unused areas of your home.
- If you go out of town for a few days, keep your thermostat on at least 55 degrees and open any cabinets where sink plumbing is against an outside wall. If necessary, keep a pencil-thin stream of cold water flowing from a faucet to prevent freezing.
- If you are leaving town for an extended period, have your home and pipes professionally winterized.
If a pipe does freeze and burst, know where the water system master shutoff valve is – normally in the basement – and turn off the water to prevent more damage.
Today’s video from the Today’s Home Remodeler TV series features Mike Hogenson from Standard Water Control. Watch Today’s Home Remodeler in the Twin Cities this Saturday at 5:00 am on WCCO TV-4 (CBS) sponsored by Standard Water Control.
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