5 Tips to Help You Prevent Burst Pipes
Minnesota winters can be brutal, and when we’re stuck in a cold spell, 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. The pipes in our kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms 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. The more vulnerable pipes are located in your attic, basement, or crawlspaces.
3. Let all of your faucets run for a bit every day during a cold spell. Some you may want to keep running for a while if you can feel that their pipes are cold. You want to keep the water flowing–as long as 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 cost of a burst pipe.
5. Seal up spaces you don’t use frequently, like attics and crawl spaces. It’s a great idea to add additional insulation if you’re able, but if that’s not in the cards, make sure to seal off the cracks under doors and leaky windows.
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!
Click the subscribe button below to be the first to see our new blog posts! One to two times a month, you’ll receive tips and tricks for home maintenance and disaster prevention.
