At best, frozen pipes can slow the flow of water throughout your home, but at worst, they can burst and cause severe damage to your home, which could significantly limit your financial freedom. At Gold Star Property Restoration, much of the frozen-pipe-related damage we see and repair across Michigan is very preventable.

Our team of water and flood damage restoration experts put together this list of easy tips to help you prevent frozen pipes and water-related disaster in your home during the winter months.

1. Keep the heat on – even if you own an unoccupied home or condo, don’t let the temperature drop below 55 degrees during cold snaps. Also, consider maintaining a consistent temperature day and night (rather than dialing back your thermostat at night) in your home. You may pay a little more in heating costs, but doing so could save you a lot of money in home repairs stemming from a frozen pipe.
2. Open cabinets– open cabinets that house pipes near an outside wall to allow temperature from the room to warm them and keep them from freezing.
3. Turn on faucets, especially if you lose power – even by letting water drip slowly, you’ll promote a continuous flow through cold pipes and reduce the likelihood that those pipes will freeze and burst.
4. Add insulation – by insulating your attic, basement and/or crawl space, you’ll create a more consistent temperature throughout your home. Also, consider wrapping your pipes and drain lines with foam rubber insulation that will shield them from the cold air moves around them.
5. Call a plumber – if your home is prone to cold internal temperatures, have a plumber take a look at your pipes, and empty water in drains and traps, to ensure you’ve done all you can to protect your home. The cost of a service call is much less than a full-scale water restoration job.

IMPORTANT: know where your water shutoff is! In the case of a burst pipe, the faster you can stop the flow of water, the less you’ll need to spend on damage repair, mold remediation and other related expenses.

If a pipe has burst in your home, our team here at Gold Star Property Restoration is here to help. Contact us 24/7, 365 to take the first step toward restoring your property and peace of mind.