When temperatures drop below freezing, the water inside your pipes can freeze and expand, potentially causing them to burst. This can be a costly problem to deal with, but preventing it is easy.

The plumbing professionals at United Air Temp are here to walk you through the steps to keep your plumbing safe during winter in the Northern Virginia and DC metro areas.

Winterize Outdoor Faucets

Winterizing your faucets allows air to flow freely inside the pipes, preventing them from frosting or bursting.

First, shut off the interior valve and drain the pipes that connect to the faucet. Once that’s done, disconnect the hoses and store them in your garage or basement. Then, cover the spigots with insulating faucet covers, which you can find at your local hardware store.

Insulate Pipes

If you have exposed pipes in your home — typically found in basements, attics, garages, or crawl spaces — be sure to insulate them to keep them from freezing.

Using foam insulation to keep the pipes warm when temperatures dip below freezing will prevent expensive issues like burst pipes.

Keep Your Thermostat Setting Consistent

The internet is full of tips for saving a buck on your utility bills, including lowering your thermostat at night.

However, setting the temperature too low during winter puts your plumbing at risk. It’s best to keep your thermostat at 55 degrees minimum to prevent frozen pipes and other issues.

If your thermostat malfunctions, request a thermostat repair ASAP to ensure it can maintain safe temperatures in your home all winter.

Pay Attention to the Forecast

It may seem obvious, but paying attention to the weather forecast is important. Cold weather isn’t necessarily a danger, but freezing temperatures are.

Northern Virginia and the DC metro area can experience extreme cold during the winter months, especially at night. Watch for when temperatures are expected to plummet so you can take appropriate measures in your home.

Let Indoor Faucets Drip

Running water is less likely to freeze, so letting your indoor faucets drip is a good way to prevent pipes from freezing.

It doesn’t have to be hot water, either — a cold water drip is still warmer than water that sits in your pipes. You can do this overnight when you know the temperatures will be below freezing.

If you’re going to be out of town for more than a few days and you anticipate freezing temperatures, we recommend shutting off the main water supply to your house entirely.

Open Under-Sink Cabinets

The pipes hidden in your under-sink cabinets are at high risk of freezing because they’re shut away from the warm air that circulates throughout your home.

Keeping the cabinet doors open when possible during freezing cold days can prevent pipe damage.

Keep Your Garage Closed

If you have a garage, be sure to keep it closed when the outside temperatures dip below freezing. Garages aren’t typically insulated, and cold air can enter your home through open doors and bring the temperature down.

Locate Your Main Water Shut-Off Valve

It’s always good to know where your main water shut-off valve is. During any number of plumbing emergencies, you’ll want to be able to shut off your home’s water supply before an issue gets worse.

It’s also good to know its location in the case of freezing temperatures, in case you find yourself dealing with a burst pipe.

If you have a basement or crawl space, the most common location is on an interior wall near the front of the house. Homes on slab foundations often have shut-off valves in the garage or near the water heater.

Call a Same-Day Plumber for Burst Pipe Repair in Northern Virginia & Washington, DC

Sometimes, pipes burst despite your best efforts to prevent it. When that happens, United Air Temp is here to help. We offer a complete range of plumbing repair services that can help when you’re dealing with burst pipes.

Contact our team at the first sign of frozen pipes, such as:

• Frost or condensation on the outside of the pipes or faucet
• No water when you turn the faucet on
• Bulges or cracks in the pipes
• Fluctuating water pressure

Contact United Air Temp to request 24/7 emergency burst pipe repair or replacement today.