How to Keep Your Pipes from Freezing

If you live in New Jersey, you  know that we can get hit with nasty winter storms, that can drop temperatures below freezing, dump piles of snow, and coat everything with ice during the winter months. This can lead to power outages and frozen pipes. The last thing anyone wants to deal with is a frozen or busted pipe. Luckily, your Homeowners or Renters insurance should cover any damage. But how do you avoid the damage in the first place?

The best way to keep your pipes from freezing is prevention. Many people refer to this as home safeguarding. Let’s face it, no one wants to deal with insurance claims or cleaning up watery messes. Here are some helpful tips to help safeguard your home during this winter season:

Prevention  

●       Be sure to keep your outside hose valve open so any remaining water in the pipelines can expand without cracking or breaking the pipes.

●       Insulate your water pipes. Insulating pipe sleeves are very useful and easy to install. They can be found in hardware stores and many home improvement stores.

●       Open cupboard doors under the sinks in your kitchen and bathroom(s) to allow warm air to get to the pipes.

Preventing Your Pipes From Freezing During a Prolonged Power Outage

A power outage can be a real winter safety problem for you, your family, and your pipes. Doring a prolonged outage, you have no heat in your home to help keep the pipes warm, nor do you have any electricity, so you may have to depend on your trusty flashlight to perform the following preventative measures:

●       During a short power outage a steady trickle of water from both the hot and cold pipes can prevent them from freezing. When the temperatures fall below freezing, turn both the hot and cold water faucets on in your home to allow a small stream of water to flow from the pipes. You should do this with all your sinks and bathtubs/shower stalls. The running water will prevent the pipes from freezing.

●       During a longer power outage, you will need to drain your water system. Always remember to unplug your water heater before draining it just in case the power comes back on unexpectedly. Not only could you damage your water heater, if not unplugged, there is also a danger if electrocution. 

●       When draining your furnace be sure to turn off the emergency switch. Drain your furnace by opening the valve at the bottom, it’s not hard to miss, it looks like your garden faucet. Next, open all the furnace’s radiator vents.

●       The water in your electric water heater will stay warm for two to three days after a power outage. After the third day, if your power is still out, you will need to drain the heater.

Winterizing Your Drainage System

 These simple things will help prevent frozen pipes and lots of headaches:

●       Shut off all the valves that allow water to enter your home.

●       To winterize the drain traps in your sinks, showers/tubs, washing machine, toilets, and other areas where a drain trap is located, pour a small amount (about ¼ cup) of recreational vehicle antifreeze in the drains. NEVER use regular (automotive) antifreeze: it is toxic. When using in the toilets, flush first.

●       You can also use denatured alcohol (highly recommended compared to any type of antifreeze).

The winter months can be difficult for a lot of people and winter safety is always a priority; so make sure your home insurance coverage is up to date just in case you need it. If you found the information in this blog post useful please click the like button and feel free to share your comments and suggestions below!

Sources: http://www.rp-l.com/outageprep.php, http://www.safeelectricity.org/information-center/library-of-articles/62-storm-preparation-fallwinter/318-what-to-do-during-an-electrical-outage, http://www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/winter-storm/preventing-thawing-frozen-pipes, http://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/new-jersey/united-states/3200