7 Tips to Prevent Frozen Pipes

If you have lived in Virginia, you may have heard the joke that “you can experience all four seasons in one day!” It is not uncommon to endure a sunny, 60°F day in the middle of February, followed by a snowstorm a few days later. Watch out for frozen pipes when the temperatures start to dip.

Many of us yearn for spring to come. Even on warm days, the temperatures can still drop below freezing overnight. This leaves your water pipes vulnerable. In order to prevent significant damage to your home, here are our tips to prevent frozen pipes.

1 – Temperatures only need to drop to about 20°F for a few hours to put your pipes at risk. Keep your thermostat no lower than 55°F, even at night.

2 – In extreme cold, like during a snowstorm, slightly turn on all of the faucets in your home to let them drip. Even a small amount of water moving through the pipes can help prevent freezing. Open up cabinets under sinks to allow warm air to circulate through them.

3 – Pipes in unheated interior areas like basements, crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets may be at bigger risk when exposed to the cold. Insulating these areas will help them to stay warm. If you cannot insulate the space, you can install insulation sleeves around the pipes. These sleeves are typically made of foam and can be found in most hardware stores.

4 – If you experience freezing, apply heat to the pipe using an electric heating pad, a hair dryer, a portable space heater, or by wrapping the pipe with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use any device with open flames, such as a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, or charcoal stove. 

5 – If you experience property damage, go to the Rockingham Insurance website to report a claim. 

6 – If you are unable to locate where the pipes are frozen or if the frozen area is inaccessible, call a licensed plumber.

7 – If one pipe freezes, others may freeze, too. Be sure to check all other faucets in your home for additional frozen pipes. 

With the proper preparation, your pipes can survive the winter unscathed. Occasionally, despite your best efforts, pipes can still burst and cause flooding or other damage to your home. 

Now is the perfect time to reach out to your local Rockingham Insurance agent to ensure that your home is protected in the event of a pipe-related emergency. Stay dry and stay safe as we prepare for spring.