Even though we live in Georgia and the temperatures do not plunge below freezing very often, it is always good to be prepared for the worst! Those cold snaps that we sometimes experience this time of year, however, could be a real problem for your pipes if you are not ready for it. The good news for you is that in the case of a plumbing emergency, our 24-hour plumbers in Atlanta are ready to handle whatever mess you’ve found yourself in! Here are a few tips to remember when it comes to preparing the pipes at your house for winter.
Turn Off Exterior Faucets
Frozen garden hoses are one of the most frequent culprits of busted pipes when a freeze hits. As the hose freezes, it expands and increases the likelihood for an indoor pipe to burst. To prevent this from happening, disconnect your hose before the weather gets cold and be sure to store it in a safe place for the winter. Another way to protect the exterior of your home from issues in the cold is to install frost-proof spigots or a faucet insulator. The faucet insulator is an inexpensive way to keep your spigots clean and free of problems in the long run. To really be sure your outdoor pipes are ready, shut off your water valve that leads to external faucets. Give yourself a little peace of mind this winter!
Leave Cabinet Doors Open at Night
Cabinets are not often insulated very well and sometimes house pipes that are close to the exterior of your home. This can pose a threat to frozen pipes when that cold weather hits. Leaving your cabinet doors open at night will help the warm air from the rest of your home circulate and keep those pipes from freezing.
Leave Faucets on at a Slow Drip
Another way to prevent your pipes from freezing during a cold spell is to leave them on a slow drip overnight. Let warm water slowly drip from faucets whose supply comes from exposed pipes. Even the slowest drip can keep your pipes from freezing!
Frozen pipes could certainly be a nightmare to deal with — both from the mess and the potentially huge expense to fix them! Although Georgia is anticipating a milder winter, it never hurts to have this information in your mind for when those cold nights do come. If you ever find yourself in an emergency with frozen and bursting pipes, our plumbers in Atlanta could be of assistance to you. To use our services or to ask more questions on how to prepare, give us a call at (770) 860-8110.