Pipes

Winter’s hit with a vengeance in Minnesota, and the sub-zero highs have closed in this week. As you bundle up, remember keep your pipes warm, too. The best way to avoid an emergency call to your plumber is to take a few proactive tips to prevent frozen pipes.

Insulation The first thing to look at is how well insulated your home is. When the insulation is adequate, you’re saving energy dollars, but you’re also saving money in potential repair expenses, too. If you happen to be in the middle of a remodeling project, this is the perfect time to address this issue. Attached Garage The garage door can let out a lot of heat if it’s left open. This makes pipes supplying nearby bathrooms or laundry rooms vulnerable to freezing. Keep the door closed as much as possible to conserve heat. Running Water When the temperature drops to dangerous levels, keep your faucets running. Even just allowing them to drip will keep the water in them moving enough to prevent it from freezing. Out of Town If you happen to be out of town over the colder months, have a friend drop by every few days to make sure nothing has frozen. Cabinets Opening your cabinets under the sink will allow warm air to more easily reach the pipes underneath. Heat Don’t turn the heat down when the weather gets cold. The cooling down period can make pipes prone to freezing. When Pipes Freeze If you do discover a frozen pipe, simply put a space heater by the exposed part of the pipe to gently melt the water.

If that doesn’t work, it’s time to call the plumber. The professionals will use a special thaw machine on the pipe, which looks like a battery charger. It thaws the pipe with the help of an electrical current.

When you take the preventative steps, your chances of needing to address frozen pipes are much lower.

Quarve Contracting is committed to helping Minneapolis and St. Paul area home and business owners protect the investments they've made in their properties.  We're a full-service exterior home improvement contractor.