It’s cold up here in the North Georgia Mountains and temperatures are below freezing! Did you know that when temperatures drop your house can freeze too? Below are some helpful tips to keep your pipes from freezing and keep you dry and warm this winter:
– Shut off the water to outside spigots.
To keep your outdoor plumbing fixtures from freezing, disconnect and remove any garden hoses. Then, drain the lines and shut off the water to your outdoor faucets.
If you have a sprinkler system turn it off then blow compressed air through the lines to drain them. When all the lines have been drained cover the outside faucets with insulating foam covers.
– Check the exterior walls for holes.
Even small holes where cable wires or phone lines enter your home can be an entry point for freezing air. Purchase a tube of foam insulation to close them up. Then, use weather stripping to close any cracks around your doors or windows. Also, make sure you close or cover foundation vents.
– Insulate, insulate, insulate!
You can help prevent your pipes from freezing by making sure your home has proper insulation. This includes insulating the exterior walls, crawl spaces, basement, attic, and exposed pipes (both hot and cold).
– Let your faucets drip.
If any indoor faucets are located on exterior walls that are not properly insulated let your faucets slowly drip whenever the temperatures drop below freezing. Make sure both the hot and cold lines are on since both are at risk of freezing (this also includes making sure your ice machine is running). Also, leave your cabinet doors open so your pipes will be warmed by your home’s heating system.
– Know how to shut off the water.
Locate the main shut off valve for your water and have a shut-off key handy. Also invest in a meter key or a crescent wrench so you will be able to shut off the water at the meter in case the shut off valve ever fails you.
-Keep your garage door closed.
If your garage is attached to your home make sure you minimize the time your garage door is open. This will help to keep cold air out of your house and protect your hot water heater as well as any other plumbing that you may have in your garage.
*IMPORTANT*
If your pipes should freeze use a hair dryer, heat lamp, electric heat tape, or a portable space heater to thaw frozen pipes that have not burst. Keep the faucet open when thawing the frozen pipes to allow water to begin flowing through it. After the weather has warmed to above freezing and any frozen pipes have thawed out turn off the dripping faucets and monitor your water meter to check for any leaks that may be unseen.
C&H Construction is a licensed general contractor and Custom Home builder located in Blairsville, Union County Georgia serving Towns County Georgia, Fannin County Georgia, Gilmer County Georgia and the North Georgia Mountains