Preventing Pipes from Freezing During the New Jersey Winter

Pipes are one of the greatest inventions of civilization, being able to bring in and out water with ease, all out of sight and out of mind. Yet, nature still has it out for us without proper preparation. But don’t worry and make your holiday season more stressful, here are a couple of ways of preventing pipes from freezing during the winter.

Insulation

Insulation may be the number one factor in preventing pipes from freezing during the winter, and not. Without good insulation, residual moisture will cause the pipe to freeze and expand. If you’re curious about that occurring yourself, simply throw a full water bottle in the freezer overnight and check it out the next day. Then, imagine how that can happen to your pipes. Unfortunately, the tools needed to check pipe insulation are not usually kept on hand by the average person. So, it is in your best interest to have a professional come by and determine the quality of the insulation of your pipes before winter sets in.

Temperature

Even though most people turn on their thermostats to keep their house at an average and warm temperature throughout the winter, it should be stated that it is one way you can be preventing pipes from freezing during the winter. When the thermometer drops in the winter, it is recommended to keep your thermostat set to at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit (12 degrees Celsius). It should also stay at that steady temperature, if you vary the temperatures too much, it can induce freezing. So keep that in mind if you have to leave your house for a long period of time, especially days.

Running a Water Drip

Running your water at a drip can be tricky, so it might not be your first best option. Though, if you believe you can do it correctly, it is yet another way of preventing pipes from freezing during the winter. By letting the water run at a drip, it reasonably protects pipes from becoming busted and leaky. It works by continuously flowing water through the pipes which, if frozen at some points, can reduce the pressure between the faucet and build-up. The best place to try this would be for the pipes nearest to the outside of the home.

Looking for a Professional Plumber

Preventing your pipes from freezing during the winter can be tricky, and costly if done wrong. If you are looking for a professional to help you through the process feel free to call us at 732-785-4226.