How to Keep Pipes from Freezing on Your Holiday Getaway
Off to the holidays and leaving town? It is only natural to be concerned about what you will be missing back home, or to have had the experience of returning from a trip to an unwanted puddle.
You are wise to put those questions to rest before loading up the car. Since 2008 Absolute Services has been Louisville’s guardian for home comfort; in that time we have put right this kind of trouble for over 10,000 customers in the metro areas of Louisville and Lexington. Give us a ring at (502) 688-8464 if you want to have a conversation with one of us. We are on the line 24/7.
A cold Kentucky winter can bring some of the priciest headaches for a homeowner, not least of which are frozen pipes. The expansion of freezing water puts enough pressure to split a fitting or crack a pipe. Then once the ice gives way, it is left to run amok in an unoccupied house for hours on end. You may find the mess you have to deal with after you get back is worse than the pipe itself.
But there is no need for it. Some forethought will see you through. Here is what to do to put your mind at ease.
Do Not Turn Off the Heat When the House Is Empty
To put money in your pocket while you are away it is easy to just shut things down. Yet you would be hard pressed to find a quicker route to a frozen pipe than by doing without heat entirely.
Put the thermostat at a safe minimum:
- 55 degrees is the mark to aim for
- Do not let it go lower even if the day is mild, the weather in Kentucky has a way of turning overnight
- Put in a new thermostat if the old one is on its last legs so the setting is reliable
- A smart model lets you make adjustments from your phone
- See to it that the furnace filter is clean for proper operation
Should your system have been giving you any trouble of late, do not leave it to chance. Our HVAC team is licensed and insured and on hand whenever you call.
Give the Warm Air a Way to Your Pipes
Any pipe in an unheated area, under a sink or on an outside wall is prime for freezing.
A few simple measures before you head out:
- Circulate some warm air by opening the cabinet doors in the kitchen and bath
- Open interior doors for an even distribution of heat
- Close the garage door if plumbing is on that side
- Put any obstructions in front of a vent or register out of the way
- Make certain access to the attic and crawlspace is well sealed
Drain and Shut Off as Needed
On a protracted trip you can further insulate yourself from risk by cutting off the water.
The procedure is straightforward:
- Find the main shutoff and turn it
- Let the lines empty by running a couple of faucets
- Flush the toilet tanks
- Any outdoor hose bibs should be shut off and drained, as should exterior lines with no protection from the cold
Our plumbers will be happy to show you where the valve is and how to do it right, or we can do it for you.
Insulate Before the Cold Sets In
There is not much more economical protection to be had.
See to the most vulnerable spots:
- Use caulk or spray foam to seal off gaps and cracks around pipes
- Apply heat tape or foam insulation to any that are exposed
- Do not overlook the basement, garage or crawlspace
- Give the pipes on exterior walls your full attention
Make Some Arrangements for When You Are Gone
Good preparation is one thing, but a plan of action is best. Have a friend or neighbor you trust put in an appearance every day or so. Hand them a key and your number and point out the location of the main water shutoff. They can nip a small issue in the bud before it means a flooded floor.
We have come a long way from our origins as a garage door outfit in 2008. Today Absolute Services is a family concern and five-trade provider for everything from drain work to electrical and HVAC. An Inc. 5000 honoree for our growth and with over 9,000 Google reviews to our name, you can count on us.
When something does not go to plan this winter, do not put it off. Call (502) 688-8464, day or night. We are here 24/7 and with approved credit we can put financing in place for the repair. We are licensed and insured and ready to stand watch over your home.