
6 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 6 tips to help you prevent this from happening at your home:
1. Let all of your faucets run for a bit every day during an extreme cold spell. Some you may want to keep running for a while if you can feel that their pipes are cold. As long as the water keeps flowing, it can’t freeze.
2. 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.
3. Keep at-risk pipes warm with insulation or heat tape. The more vulnerable pipes are located in your attic, basement, or crawlspaces.
4. No one likes an expensive heating bill, but you should keep the temperature in your home 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 any gaps where cold air is sneaking in.
6. If you’ll be going on vacation to escape the cold weather, you should turn your home’s water off. Before you leave, locate your main water shut-off valve and turn it clockwise to shut the water off to your home. Then turn on all your faucets to drain any water that remains in the pipes. It’s a good idea to turn off your water heater as well before you go.
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!
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