As the holidays arrive, the last thing you would want are your pipes to freeze. Not only is that a worst-case-scenario situation, but it will dearly cost you time and money. No one wants to expend more from their wallet than what they're already spending on gifts this year! And to top it off, who has time to deal with the aftereffects of such a catastrophe. This season is one of the busiest times for many, and dealing with another issue isn't on the schedule.

So what do you do to preemptively prevent your pipes from freezing?

  1. Turn up your thermostat.
    When the temperatures drop, it is not the time to start worrying about your heating bill, especially when the bill for frozen pipe damage will make a much larger dent. If you live in an older home built over an uninsulated crawlspace, turning up your thermostat will increase the air temperature in that crawlspace. It does this by projecting heat energy through the floor and into the space. It is a better idea to act than to wait and see!
  2. Install fiberglass insulation or a foam board.
    Your attic, crawlspace, or any other out-of-the-way places are susceptible to colder temperatures. By getting yourself some unfaced fiberglass insulation and installing it over poorly protected pipes, you can save yourself a lot of trouble later. If you have a larger area to protect from the chill, keep the heat in with a barrier built from foam board. Either faced or unfaced foam board does the job and is easy to cut, fitting to wood framing with 1¼ inch coarse-thread drywall screws.
  3. Install a heat trace cable.
    To keep a cold pipe from freezing, you can also install a heat trace cable via following the manufacturer's instructions on the packaging. Depending on the type you get, some are wrapped around the pipe, whereas others simply run along it. In some cases, the cable is cut to length from a roll, which you would then have to purchase a kit or separate parts to convert it into a working heat trace cable. Other times, the cable is sold ready to use, where one end is safely terminated and insulated and the other has an electrical plug.

It is always better to be safe than sorry in the situation of frozen pipes bursting in your home. Can you imagine? It's a good idea to start taking some steps before winter is in full swing! You can also call us to come take a look, give you advice, or handle any issues you may have; we are always here to help. By following these tips, we cannot guarantee your pipes will not freeze, but we can promise you will be able to significantly reduce the risk of them freezing when the colder weather hits. It is a good idea to keep them in mind as we face this frigid season.

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing also takes care of heater repair in Bucks County, so as to ensure that your heater won't fail you or leave your home in even more danger of the pipes freezing. We can also come by and handle hot water repairs in Levittown because cold showers are never in anyone's best interest! Make sure you keep us in mind and stay tuned for our next blog where we will give you some more tips on how to take preventive measures to keep your pipes from freezing.