As winter approaches, make sure all of the pipes in your basement, crawl space, and attic are properly insulated to protect them from freeze breaks and to reduce your energy bill.

When the temperature drops below freezing, turn on your faucets so that the water drips out just a little. Water that is moving will not freeze easily. The little bit of water you waste by letting the faucets drip is nothing compared to the amount you would waste if the pipes burst!

You can also reduce the likelihood of burst pipes during cold weather by leaving doors in kitchens, bathrooms and sink cabinets open to allow more heat to reach the plumbing. But, if your house is over a crawl space, close the vents under the house to prevent cold air from reaching the pipes. And, seal leaks around doors and windows to reduce cold air penetration.

Also, don’t forget your hose bibbs (outside faucets or spigots). If the water in them freezes and expands, not only will they be damaged, but the connecting lines inside your home may also freeze and break. When, freezing weather is predicted, remove all hoses from the hose bibbs and shut off the water supply to them. If your hose bibbs do not have shut off valves, insulate them – and the piping to them – to prevent freeze breaks. You can buy faucet insulation kits at most home supply centers. You may also want to consider having Atlanta Plumbing Plus install frost-proof hose bibbs as extra protection.

If you are leaving the house empty for a long period of time, shut off the main water line and drain the system by opening faucets at the highest and lowest points of the house. Make sure the heat is left on and set no lower than 55°F to prevent your pipes from freezing. If your home will be vacant for many weeks or months during the winter, have Atlanta Plumbing Plus professionally winterize your home before you leave.

Even after all this preparation, if it is an exceptionally cold winter, your pipes could still freeze. If that happens, do not try to thaw the pipe with an open flame, hair dryer, or any other direct source of heat. Just turn on your faucets and leave them on, then wait for the pipes to thaw slowly. Watch the pipe carefully as it thaws to see if it has burst.

If a pipe has burst, prevent more damage to your home by shutting off the water supply immediately. If the break is near an electrical outlet or device, turn the electricity off at the breaker to avoid an electrical shock. Then call Atlanta Plumbing Plus to come and repair the pipe. Next, call your insurance company and, if possible, take photos of the damage to support your claim.