Protecting Your Pipes: Preventing and Dealing with Freezing in Cold Weather

Hello RENU Residents! When winter’s chill sets in, it’s essential to be vigilant about the potential for frozen pipes in your home. A burst pipe due to freezing can lead to significant damage and costly repairs. In this guide, we’ll help you understand the importance of preventing frozen pipes and provide you with steps to safeguard your plumbing during cold weather, as well as what to do if it happens.

• Frozen pipes can be a nightmare. When water freezes inside your pipes, it expands, which can lead to pipe bursts and subsequent water damage. Not only can this be costly, but it can also disrupt your daily life. By taking preventive measures, you can avoid this inconvenience and potential expense.
• Sometimes during the winter months we experience extremely cold nights. On these nights allow a slow, steady drip from your faucets. This keeps water moving, making it less likely to freeze. Additionally, keep bathroom and cabinet doors open to allow warmer air to circulate around your pipes. Both of these items are also important to do when leaving your home for an extended period. 
• On the exterior of your home, disconnect any hoses from the faucet. Above ground plumbing freezes faster than anything protected by the ground or walls of your house. Once frozen, garden hoses or sprinklers can cause a domino effect of damage.
• Keep your home at a steady temperature, even when you’re away. Doing this will save you from significant damage and stress from a pipe bursting. To go along with that, open the cabinet doors beneath sinks. This allows warm air to circulate around the pipes and helps prevent freezing. 

While taking these steps can help prevent pipes from freezing, it is important to act quickly if the pipes have frozen.

• If you suspect a pipe has frozen, keep the faucet open to relieve pressure and allow water to flow once it thaws. In addition, you can use something like a hairdryer, heat lamp, or heating pad to gently warm the frozen section of the pipe. Start at the faucet and work your way back.
• Keep in mind, thawing a frozen pipe takes time. Be patient and do not use open flames and avoid using excessive heat, as it can damage the pipe. Once the pipe has thawed, it is important to check for leaks. If you find any, turn off the water supply and submit a maintenance request here.
• Once the pipe is thawed and any damage repaired, take steps to prevent future freezing by following the preventive measures mentioned above.

Being aware of the risk of frozen pipes during cold weather is essential. Taking preventive measures can save you from the inconvenience, expense, and potential water damage associated with burst pipes. By keeping faucets dripping when it is extremely cold and maintaining a consistent indoor temperature, you can enjoy a cozy winter without the worry of frozen plumbing. If pipes do freeze, stay calm, follow the thawing steps, and contact your maintenance team for any necessary repairs. With these precautions and actions, you’ll keep your home’s plumbing safe and secure during the cold months.