Winter can be tough on your home. In extremely harsh conditions, residential plumbing systems can quickly freeze, causing burst pipes and leaks that could easily cost thousands of dollars to repair. Fortunately, there are a few tasks you can do to prevent winter plumbing disasters from occurring.

How to Avoid a Burst Pipe

1. Keep Faucets Running

Running water is less likely to freeze, so leave a couple of fixtures open when temperatures drop. For the best results, let the kitchen faucet drip and open up the tap farthest away from where the residential plumbing system enters the house.

2. Open Kitchen Cabinets

Most kitchen sinks are located on exterior walls, making them prone to freezing. Leave the cabinets underneath your sink open to let in enough warm air to keep pipes from bursting.

3. Insulate Your Pipes

Look for exposed pipes in your basement or crawlspace. Most hardware stores sell foam insulators you can place over the pipes, giving them extra protection from the frigid weather.

4. Protect Exterior Faucets

Exterior faucets are usually one of the first casualties of cold weather. Disconnect the hose so water can drip out naturally, and shut off the water supply to the faucet if possible

5. Check Your Insulation

Some older homes don’t have adequate insulation to protect the residential plumbing system. Check the walls near where the pipes enter the house and have any missing or outdated insulation replaced as soon as possible. Not only will this lower your heating expenses, but it can also prevent major plumbing repairs later.

Whether you’ve suffered a broken pipe or need some minor repairs, the professionals at Reader Plumbing & Septic have the experience and training to handle almost any residential plumbing issue. For over 40 years, they’ve dedicated themselves to providing Freedom, WI, homeowners with high-quality services and reliable results on every project. Visit their website now for an overview of their services, or call (920) 788-2527 for emergency repairs and free estimates.