Keep the Heat In

The recent cold snap we experienced reminded me that even though winter comes every year, we sometimes forget about the preventative maintenance we can do to prevent cold weather from being a hassle.

I was talking with a friend recently who told me that when the temperatures dropped, her pipes froze. These tips are too late for her and they may be too late for you if this also happened to you recently, but it is good to be reminded for the future.

Here are some things you can do to keep your pipes from freezing and to keep warmth in the house overall:

-Close the damper for your fireplace (when you are not using it).

-Have ducts checked for air leaks.

-Look for and stop drafts. There are some drafts (like the ones near doors and windows) that you can find easily yourself. Other drafts (like ones in the attic) may require an expert’s assistance.

-When you know temperatures will drop severely, leave the faucet running. Not at full blast, but just enough so some water trickles out.

-Open the cabinet doors under sinks. This way the warm air that is flowing in the house will reach the pipes.