Water expands when it freezes, which could mean trouble for your water pipes.
Busted water supply lines can be a costly problem, so here are some tips to prevent frozen pipes during colder temperatures:
— Open cabinet doors under sinks. Opening cabinet doors allows warm air to circulate around the pipes, but be sure to move cleaners and harmful chemicals out of the reach of children or pets.
— Keep the thermostat on 60 degrees or above. When you leave for work, or if you’ll be away from home during extreme cold weather, set the thermostat no lower than 60 degrees.
— Let a faucet trickle. When the temperature dips below zero, let at least one faucet in your home trickle water. Running water through the pipes helps prevent freezing.
— Insulate pipes. Install pipe sleeves or heat tape on exposed water pipes.
— If you live in on-post housing or do not own your dwelling, contact your maintenance provider before attempting to solve the issue on your own.
— If you live in a home outside the installation, and if you proceed carefully, you may be able to thaw a pipe using heat tape, a hairdryer, a space heater (away from flammable materials) or hot water.
— Know where your home’s water shut-off valve is located. Should a pipe burst, knowing where to shut off the water to your home can prevent you from having a big mess on your hands.
(Editor’s note: Portions of this article were originally published by the City of Liberty, Missouri. It has been edited for publication in the GUIDON.)
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