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(City of Chubbuck, January 12, 2024)
When temperatures plummet, the risk of your pipes freezing and bursting skyrockets. In fact, burst pipes are one of the most common causes of property damage during frigid weather.
- Insulate water pipes that may be vulnerable to the cold, such as those along exterior walls and in unheated basements or crawl spaces.
- Keep cabinet doors open leading to exposed pipes (such as access doors for sinks), so that household air can warm them.
- If you have an attached garage, keep its doors shut. Often, plumbing is routed through this unheated space.
- Crack a faucet farthest from the place where your water enters the house. A very slow drip will keep water moving, reducing the chance that pipes will freeze. Place a bucket underneath the faucet so the water can be saved for other household uses.
- Keep your thermostat set above 60 degrees when leaving your house or business for several days.
Some of the tips recommended may go against your better instincts of conserving water and heat, but the extra expense is nothing compared with a hefty repair bill from water damage and the inconvenience of frozen or damaged pipes.
