Simple tips to prevent your pipes from freezing this winter

STATEN ISLAND, NY – With the Staten Islander digging ourselves in the copious amounts of snow we’ve seen last week, we’d need to take precautions to keep our inner tubes from freezing. The pipes most at risk are in unheated interiors such as basements, attics and garages. But pipes that run through cabinets or outside walls can also freeze.

According to consumer reports, there are simple steps you can take to prevent the pipes in your home from freezing and your water from flowing. The cheapest step is pipe insulation, which costs just 50 cents per foot at our local hardware store. It is easy to install and can prevent major damage. Read on for more helpful tips.

HOW TO KEEP YOUR PIPES FROM FREEZING

Once the temperature has dropped to 20 ° F, keep your pipes warm and the water running, especially with uninsulated pipes in uninsulated rooms. Experts say the additional cost is nothing compared to a high plumbing repair bill. Other tips are:

1. Keep the garage doors closed, especially if there are water supply lines in the garage.

2. Open the cabinet doors for the kitchen and bathroom to allow the warmer air to circulate around the plumbing, especially if your sinks are on an outside wall.

3. Drain the cold water from a faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe – even with a trickle – prevents the pipes from freezing.

4. Keep the thermostat at the same temperature day and night.

5. If you don’t want to be around in cold weather, keep the heating in your house on and set a temperature no less than 55 ° F.

6. Add insulation over the long term to attics, basements, and crawl spaces. The insulation maintains higher temperatures in these areas.

7. To prevent drafts, seal cracks and openings on windows, doors and sill sills on which the house rests on the foundation.

Most of the products you need above can be found at Home Depot or Lowe’s. They can be delivered to your home when you order them online.

HOW TO DISPLAY FROZEN PIPES

If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, you may have a frozen pipe. “If you suspect the pipes are frozen, use caution when thawing because if the pipe has already burst, the water will flow out and flood your house,” says John Galeotafiore, who conducts household product and power testing Consumer Reports monitors equipment.

If a pipe is broken, turn off the water at the main shut-off valve, which is usually located on the water meter or where the main line enters the house. If the water is still running and no pipes have burst, here are some steps you can take. Other tips are:

1. Turn on the tap. When you heat the frozen tube and the ice plug begins to melt, you want the water to flow through it. Running water through the pipe will help melt ice in the pipe.

2. Apply heat to the pipe section by using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, portable space heater (keep away from flammable materials), or wrapping the pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene, or propane heater as this could damage the pipes or even start a fire.

* * * You can also use space heaters to provide extra heat. To purchase one, please click here.

3. Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. Check all the other faucets in your house to see if you have any additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, so can others.

4. Call a licensed plumber if you cannot find the frozen area, if the frozen area is inaccessible, or if you cannot thaw the pipe.

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