Preventing Pipe Bursts in Cold Weather Areas

With cold weather expected across the Albany, NY area next week, it's a good time to start thinking about how to prevent your pipes from freezing. Pipe bursts are one of the most common sources of water damage during the cold, frigid months. The good news is that there are several simple steps that you can take to minimize the chances of experiencing the hassle of a pipe burst. ​

Open your Cabinets
Pipes freeze when they are in unheated interior spaces. Open the cabinets in your kitchen and bathrooms to allow the warmer air from the rest of the home to enter that space. This will help keep the the pipes at a sufficient temperature.

Close the Garage
Don't forget to close your garage! Leaving the garage open allows for a large mass of cold air to sweep through the interior of your home, putting your pipes at risk of freezing. This is especially true if you have a living/finished space above the garage.

Set your Thermostat
It's a good rule of thumb to keep your thermostat set at or above 55 degrees Fahrenheit. This will ensure that the interior space is kept at a high enough temperature to prevent the pipes from freezing, especially if you plan to be away from your home for an extended period of time.

Let Your Water Drip
Running water through your pipes, even at a steady drip, greatly reduces the likelihood that the pipe will freeze and then burst.

Insulate the Area
Any time you can insulate areas in your home that are more susceptible to the elements, the more you will keep the warm air in your home and keep the cold air out. A few good areas to insulate are the attic, basement and crawlspaces. 

Pipe burst that damaged an interior wall inside a vacation home that was vacant.

Running our equipment to ensure that the space was dried properly after a pipe burst.

If you've experienced a pipe burst and need assistance, call the CleanBright team today at 518-608-6242.