Along with cold weather, many may be dealing with frozen pipes. The American Red Cross offers several tips on how to thaw and protect the pipes of your home.
Water expands as it freezes, which puts pressure on metal or plastic pipes, per the organization’s website.
“No matter the strength of a container, expanding water can cause pipes to break,” the Red Cross said.
Pipes that freeze most frequently are:
- Pipes that are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines and water sprinkler lines
- Water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages or kitchen cabinets
- Pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation
How to protect pipes from freezing
- Before the onset of cold weather, protect your pipes from freezing by following these recommendations:
- Drain water from swimming pool and water sprinkler supply lines following manufacturer’s or installer’s directions. Do not put antifreeze in these lines unless directed. Antifreeze is environmentally harmful, and is dangerous to humans, pets, wildlife and landscaping.
- Remove, drain and store hoses used outdoors. Close inside valves supplying outdoor hose bibs. Open the outside hose bibs to allow water to drain. Keep the outside valve open so that any water remaining in the pipe can expand without causing the pipe to break.
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