Here in Siskiyou County we’re expecting a cold snap this weekend, it’s a good idea to take some preventive measures to prevent any issues with frozen pipes. Residents in the eastern parts of the county should be especially cautious, you don’t want to deal with burst pipes!
Having said that, ensuring that your plumbing doesn’t freeze isn’t too difficult at all, it just requires a few steps. Here are some tips to keep the water flowing:
Turn on the taps
Running water through the pipe—even at a trickle—helps prevent pipes from freezing.
Open cabinets
This will allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing, especially if your sinks are on an exterior wall.
Wrap the pipes
If your pipes are in areas that don’t get warm air, consider insulating them with insulation sleeves or wrapping. You can get foam rubber or fiberglass sleeves at your local hardware store, this is especially important for wall-mounted exterior taps.
Shut off and drain exterior plumbing
If you have a shut-off for your exterior plumbing (spigots, sprinklers, irrigation etc) make sure to turn it off. Go around your property and turn on all the faucets to make sure they drain, start with the lowest point of your yard and work your way up, then turn them all off in the opposite order.
Keep the heat on
Keeping the heat on can help prevent pipes from bursting or freezing. Keeping the temperature set to at least 55° F on a regular basis should help keep your pipes warm.
Keep the garage door closed
Especially if there are water supply lines in the garage.
