When it's cold outside it's important to keep warm, but it's not just people and pets that need protection from the elements.
Pipes frequently burst during the winter months because the water inside freezes when the temperature in your home isn't high enough, and then when you do turn on the heat the water expands, causing the pressure to build and eventually burst.
So how do you prevent what seems like the inevitable?
Adam Boerenko, of A.I. Boerenko Plumbing & Pump, offered us some tips on how to prevent pipe breaks, and what to do if your pipe does burst.
- Keep your garage doors and basement windows closed at all times
- Keep cabinet and closet doors open so that the warm air can reach the pipes
- If you've had past issues, leave hot and cold water running overnight from a faucet furthest away from where water enters your home's piping system
- Detach your garden hose from the faucet outside your home
And if your pipes do freeze over?
- Don't use a blowtorch or commercial heaters, because they are dangerous and can emit carbon monoxide
- Try using a regular blow dryer to thaw your pipes