Upgrade Insulation for Pipes
04/18/2023
Make Resilient Upgrades | Strengthen Your Home • Winter Storms
Why does it matter?
Pipes can freeze in winter’s low temperatures. This freezing can cause major damage to your home if a pipe ruptures and leaks once it thaws.
What do I need to know?
- Water freezes when it expands, potentially causing water pipes to burst.
- Be ready to shut off the water valves if a pipe bursts.
Where do I start?
- Prevent frozen pipes by insulating pipes outside of your home with two inches of UL-listed heat tape, pre-sliced foam tubing, other insulation or newspapers/cloth and duct tape.
- Set your thermostat at 55 degrees or warmer.
- Let a small trickle of water flow from your faucet, especially if it is on an exterior wall (both the hot and cold faucets).
- Disconnect garden hoses from spigots and drain any water.
- Use outdoor faucet covers to prevent spigots from freezing.
- Allow a small, continuous drip from spigots to prevent freezing.
- Open cabinet doors so heat can warm uninsulated pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls.
- Purchase a sump pump and know how it operates to protect the basement from water damage in case large amounts of snow begin to melt.
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