5 Tips to Help You Prevent Burst Pipes
Minnesota winters can be brutal, and when we’re stuck in a cold snap, our homes are at risk of burst pipes. Internal pipes can burst when the water inside them freezes and expands, putting too much pressure on the pipes.
Here are 5 tips to help you prevent this from happening at your home:
1. Allow warm air to circulate. We often don’t think about the pipes that are inside (kitchen, bathroom, etc.) but they are often located on an exterior wall behind cabinet doors. Open up those doors to let some warm air in.
2. Keep at-risk pipes warm by using insulation or heat tape.
3. Run all of your faucets every day. Some you may want to keep running if you can feel that their pipes are cold. You want to keep the water flowing, because if it does, it can’t freeze.
4. No one likes an expensive heating bill, but you should keep your heating consistent and always above 55 degrees during these cold spells. Saving a few dollars on your heating bill isn’t worth the hassle, damage and money a bust pipe can cause.
5. Seal up spaces you don’t use frequently, like attics and crawl spaces. It’s best to add additional insulation if you’re able. If you can’t do that, make sure to seal off the cracks under doors, leaky windows, and seal off any gaps or cracks.
If you do end up having a pipe burst, we’re here to help you 24/7 by calling 612-518-8852. Make sure to call your insurance agent too! You’ll need to know how much coverage you have for any damage caused. Stay safe and stay warm!
