How to Prevent Pipes From Bursting in the Winter

Protect Your Home: Frozen water pipes can burst and do tremendous damage. Take preventive measures, especially in older homes with inadequate insulation. Fortunately, Handyside has uncovered effective ways to prevent your water pipes from freezing this winter. Don’t wait—safeguard your home today!

Why do water pipes freeze and burst?

Your home’s water pipes operate under pressure. As you may know from making ice cubes, water expands when it freezes, sometimes by up to 9%. This expansion can escalate the pressure inside a pipe from 40 pounds per square inch to a staggering 40,000 psi! Such intense pressure will find weak points, leading to pipe bursts. The real trouble arises later when the ice thaws, unleashing a flood in your house that can cause thousands of dollars in damage within minutes. To avoid this scenario, it’s crucial to prevent your pipes from freezing.

How can you prevent pipes from freezing?

1. Turn up the heat

Heat your house to at least 72 degrees in winter months, especially if you’re concerned about your water pipes. If you plan to be away, don’t turn the heat off. Instead, opt for lowering the temperature slightly. Consider using a programmable thermostat to ensure the house remains heated to 72 degrees for at least part of the day.

2. Open cabinet doors

Ensure proper circulation of warm air around pipes by opening cabinet doors, vanity doors, and even closet doors if pipes are located within these spaces.