Tips on preventing water pipe freeze.

Now that the colder months are here, if you live in an area prone to freezing temperatures, now is the time to take some measures to help keep water pipes from freezing. Some statistics claim payments by insurance companies over the last decade have exceeded $4 billion, related to issues from frozen pipes.

Having running water is very much a luxury that many take for granted. A luxury that when the water stops, pipes can freeze and problems like bursting pipes can happen, which can also lead to costly repairs for homeowners.

To help prevent your water pipes freezing during winter and to reduce the risk of greater damage being caused to your home, here are some tips that might help.

1.    Know where your water main shut off is. Typically, it is situated to one side at the front of a property, near a fence line or in the garden. Depending on the property, it can be covered with a protective surround or garden foliage. To turn off, it’s simply a matter of turning the handle clockwise and that will shut off your entire water source.

2.    If you decide to take a few days off or holiday during the colder months (why not), keep the heating on. Doing so will go along way to preventing your pipes form bursting and causing major damage to your home whilst you are away.

3.    Before you go to sleep ensure all exterior doors are closed, particularly the garage door and entry doors.

4.    Open cabinet doors under sinks. Doing so will cause the air temperature within the cabinet to raise to room temperature, warm the pipes and reduce the risk of frozen pipes.

5.    Identify the bathroom or tap that is the furthest from your water source. Turn that tap (or all taps) on so it’s just a drip, leaving it on during the night and that should be sufficient to prevent your water pipes from freezing. If it’s still cold in the morning, consider leaving the taps dripping all day.

It’s important to note, these tips are preventative measures to reduce the risk of pipes freezing during the colder months, they are not permeant measures, therefore, it’s important to think big picture. Implementing one, some or all these measures may prevent a major pipe burst pipe disaster within your home. If you have a two-story home and go away during winter, the last thing you need is to come home to a burst pipe water event in your beloved home.