GREEN BAY IS COLD! PROTECT YOUR PIPES.
10 Ways to Prevent Freezing Pipes:
1. Disconnect any outside water hoses, and turn off the flow to outside faucets. Drain all of the water from pipes leading to outside faucets.
2. Once you’ve completed step one, insulate your outdoor faucets. You can buy Styrofoam insulation kits at home improvement stores. These will stay in place all winter.
3. If your kitchen sink is on an outside wall, cover exposed water pipes with foam insulation sleeves, also available at home improvement stores. You will probably need to cut the sleeves to meet the desired length before slipping them over the pipes.
4. If a deep freeze is imminent, allow a trickle of water to flow from faucets located along outside walls. This is considered voluntary, and for the customer’s benefit and will be paid for by the customer.
5. Leave your sink cabinet doors open so warm air can circulate around the pipes.
6. Use insulation to seal air leaks around windows and doors that are near water pipes.
7. Wrap thermostat-controlled heat cables around water pipes that are prone to freezing. However, please note that heat tape can cause fires and cannot be used near flammable materials. Heat cables are only a temporary solution.
8. Insulate your crawl spaces and the water pipes that run through them.
This includes attics, garages and unheated areas.
9. Don’t let your home get below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
10. Call a plumber to assess your pipes and give you a safer, more permanent fix to meet your needs.