By setting your thermostat to 55 degrees, you are maintaining an indoor temperature that’s well above water’s freezing temperature of 32 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature also ensures that there are no cold spots in your home, especially where your pipes are located. Even though you’re warming your home 24/7, it’s still a cost-effective option. Your home isn’t too warm to drive up energy bills, but it’s warm enough to prevent your pipes from freezing.
If you plan to be out for most of the day or even for a few days, it’s a good idea to keep your heating system on with the temperature set to around 55 degrees. Although temperatures may not dip significantly while you’re away, you never know. There could be a severe snowstorm.
One of the most effective ways to prevent your pipes from freezing is to turn all your faucets on slightly so that they drip cold water. This strategy keeps water in motion, making the water less likely to freeze. This is especially true if there are parts of the pipe that are exposed to very cold temperatures.
Water flowing through pipes also generates a little bit of heat due to the friction of the water against the walls of the pipe. This heat can be enough to prevent your pipes from freezing.
Opening your faucets is also a good idea if you aren’t able to insulate all your pipes or if you don’t have the budget to do so. It’s a cost-effective method that provides immediate results.
Another effective way to ensure your pipes don’t freeze is to open your cabinets and cupboards. This lets the warm indoor temperature swirl around inside, warming the pipes behind or within the cabinets. When you keep your cabinet doors closed, you’re essentially cutting off that space from warm air. By opening the doors, the pipes have access to warm air and are less likely to freeze.
You can also wrap your hands around them from time to time to monitor their temperature. If you feel that one spot feels colder than others, you can take additional preventative measures, such as setting up a space heater nearby.
Like the above methods, opening up cupboards and cabinets won’t cost you any money. It’s simple to do and effective.
It may not be possible to insulate all your pipes, but you can concentrate on any unheated areas, such as the garage or crawl spaces. Insulation provides a thermal barrier, and it prevents cold air from fully penetrating your pipes. Pipes that aren’t insulated may also lose heat. Insulation prevents a certain degree of heat loss, keeping your energy bills lower.
Depending on where you live, some building codes may require that you insulate portions of your pipe that are exposed to freezing temperatures. Although there are some costs associated with purchasing insulation, you can find affordable options at your local hardware store. One purchase can offer years of insulation.
Besides the pipes inside your home, there are also the pipes that lead to your garden to think about. When you leave water in your outdoor spigots, the water may freeze and then expand. This can cause your pipes to burst.
To prevent any damage, drain the water out of all your outside spigots. This preventative maintenance strategy is easy to do, cost-free, and can save you a lot of money.
Although standing water in your spigots may not freeze, it could lead to mold growth. By draining it all out, you won’t have to deal with mildew or mold problems.
If you plan on leaving for a two or three-week vacation, keep your indoor temperature at roughly 55 degrees Fahrenheit and shut off the main water supply valve. By cutting off the flow of water throughout your home, there won’t be any water available to freeze. You will also avoid water leaks, burst pipes, flooding, and damage to your property. You’ll also be protecting yourself against any unforeseen accidents.
You’ll save money, too. With no water to heat, your water heater won’t have to warm your water. This can result in energy savings. After shutting off your water supply, remember to drain all your pipes to remove any remaining water.
At Mold Bros, we love to offer preventative tips. However, if you do have a plumbing leak or burst pipes, we can help with mold restoration services. With cutting-edge equipment and advanced techniques, we can remove mold in even the most troubling of spots. We can also help with water restoration services. If you have standing water, we can extract the water, dry the area, clean and sanitize your space, and restore damaged walls, floors, and ceilings. Contact us today if you need our help restoring your property.