Five Ways to Prevent a Frozen Pipe

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While the temperature does not drop below 32 degrees often in Jackson, Georgia and surrounding areas, your plumbing is still at risk of freezing when it does get cold enough. Frozen pipes are problematic because as water freezes, it expands. This swelling can cause enough pressure to crack or burst your pipes, leading to leaks and potentially expensive water damage if it is not addressed quickly.

Five Ways to Prevent a Frozen Pipe

Luckily, you are not at the mercy of the weather when you take the proper precautions. Here are five ways that you can prevent a frozen pipe:

  1. Drain Water from Your Sprinklers- When you are finished watering your lawn and plants, it is important to winterize your plumbing by draining water from sprinkler supply lines and disconnecting your garden hoses.
  2. Insulate Your Home- By insulating your attic, basement, crawlspace, and other areas of your home, you can help to raise the indoor temperature and prevent water from freezing inside your pipes.
  3. Insulate Your Pipes- If there are pipes in unheated areas of your home, you might consider insulating the pipes themselves. There are plenty of affordable foam, fiberglass, and rubber options to choose from online or at your local home improvement store.
  4. Leave the Heat On- If you are going away for an extended period and the weather is cold at home, make sure to leave your heater on in your absence, as this will keep the water at a higher temperature and prevent frozen pipes.
  5. Allow Your Faucets to Drip- If the weather outside is very cold, find the faucets that are connected to exposed pipes and let a tiny amount of water drip out of them. By having the water running, even just a little bit, you can prevent the formation of ice in your pipes.