Don't let your pipes burst: what to do before and during a hard freeze
Whether it's a subtle crack or a major rupture, a single burst pipe can spew hundreds of gallons of water into your home.
Don't let your pipes burst: What to do before and during a hard freeze
Before winter arrives across the U.S., homeowners and renters alike need to prepare for sudden cold snaps that can put indoor plumbing at severe risk.
When temperatures plunge below 32 degrees, water inside uninsulated or exposed plumbing begins to freeze. Unlike most liquids, water expands as it turns to ice — a unique property that creates immense hydraulic pressure inside plastic or copper pipes until they inevitably split.
(MORE: Watch: Pittsburgh deep freeze created stunning home disaster)
Whether it's a subtle crack or a major rupture, a single burst pipe can spew hundreds of gallons of water into your home, causing catastrophic structural damage, ruining furnaces and triggering immediate mold growth. Vulnerable lines include outdoor hose bibs, sprinkler systems and indoor supply pipes running through unheated spaces like attics, crawlspaces, basements and exterior walls.
Here's a quick checklist of things you can do before and during the season's first hard freeze to prevent disaster.
Before the freeze
- Insulate exposed pipes in your attic, basement, crawlspace and garage
- Seal air leaks
- Disconnect and rain outdoor hoses and sprinkler lines
- Make sure you and everyone in the home know where the water shut-off valve is
When the freeze hits
- Let cold water drop from a faucet
- Open cabinet doors under sinks
- Keep garage doors closed
- Don't set the thermostat below 55 degrees
If a pipe freezes
- Leave the faucet open
- Thaw the pipe gently with a hair dryer, heating pad or towels soaked in hot water — never use a torch or open flame
If a pipe bursts
- Shut off the main water valve
- Call a licensed plumber
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