Here in the Southern Adirondacks, winter comes on quickly and our temperatures can plummet in a hurry. During this frigid time of year, the Jack Hall Plumbing & Heating team is ready for the inevitable emergency calls for frozen pipes. The worst part about these calls is they are often preventable.
By following some simple steps and maintaining your HVAC system, you can rest easier knowing your plumbing system isn’t going to freeze up and spring a leak this winter. Here are some tips on how to keep your pipes frost free.
Drain Outdoor Hose Bibbs and Supply Valves
When you put away your outdoor hoses in late fall, drain and shut off the supply valves. It’s important not to forget the valves because this prevents water from flowing to the outdoor hose bibbs where it can freeze. Remember to keep the outside valves open so any water left in the pipe can expand without bursting the pipe.
In a Severe Cold Snap Keep the Thermostat Consistent
An effective way to prevent frozen pipes when the weather turns brutally cold is to keep your thermostat at the same temperature over 24 hours. Many homeowners set their thermostats to lower temperatures at night to save on the heating bill. But when that polar cold weather hits, it’s a good idea to keep things in the home a little warmer. Consistent temperatures during the day and night prevent any sudden changes in the home’s environment, which helps keep pipes free of any ice buildup.
Open Your Home’s Interior Doors
Another way to keep your home at consistent temperature is to open all the interior doors. Homes don’t circulate heat evenly between rooms and floors, so keeping these doors open helps heat the entire home more effectively (This is also beneficial for your HVAC system). If extremely cold weather is in the forecast or you’re traveling, a good tip is to also open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warm air to reach the plumbing. Just be sure to secure household cleaning products to keep kids and pets safe.
Don’t Drop the Heat Too Low When You’re Away
If you plan on taking a winter vacation or are a snowbird who will be gone for a few months, leave your heat at a reasonable temperature while you’re away. At Jack Hall, we’ve seen plenty of situations where people set the thermostat too low (or even turn the heat off!), resulting in burst pipes and flooding damage. You don’t have to keep the house at the regular, comfortable temperature — setting the thermostat at 55 degrees or higher should keep the pipes safe.
Properly Insulate Pipes that are Prone to Freezing
The pipes in your basement, crawl space, and garage are the most vulnerable to freezing. The best way to keep them flowing freely is to buy and install specifically designed pipe insulation. Insulation is relatively inexpensive compared to fixing a frozen pipe and simple to install. Pipes in these areas should be insulated with rubber, fiberglass, or foam pipe insulation.
Stay on a Regular HVAC Maintenance Schedule
If your furnace fails in winter and you’re not home to make a service call it can lead to a frozen pipe disaster. At Jack Hall, we recommend regular maintenance calls to check on all aspects of your HVAC system. We can detect potential issues and address them before there’s a catastrophic issue with the unit. Routine maintenance also helps the system run more effectively, saving you money on the utility bill over the long run.
At Jack Hall Plumbing & Heating, our team is ready to respond quickly to plumbing emergencies. If you have a frozen or burst pipe, immediately shut off your water and call our 24/7 emergency line at (518) 792-7114. Our plumbers will assess the damage, create a repair or replacement plan, and get your home’s plumbing working properly. We’re here for all your plumbing needs, so don’t hesitate to contact us for a free estimate in Saratoga Springs, Glens Falls, Queensbury, Bolton Landing and surrounding areas.
