As temperatures continue to fall below freezing overnight, it’s important to take a few simple steps to avoid the headaches and mess that come with frozen and burst pipes. The forecast for metro Atlanta says the cold will continue for the next few weeks, so now is the time to get ready.
- When temperatures are sure to fall below freezing, set faucets in kitchens and baths to a very slow trickle overnight. This will keep the lines flowing since they get less use at night. Letting the water drip may not be enough to avoid frozen pipes; be sure it is a trickle. This is especially helpful on faucets located on outer walls in older homes that may have less efficient insulation.
- Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air to circulate.
- Turn off water to outside spigots by using the valve inside your home. Drain the remaining water by allowing it to run until dry. Use insulating spigot covers for further protection.
- Turn off your sprinkler system and blow compressed air through the lines to drain them.
- Close and cover basement windows and foundation vents.
- Keep garage doors closed. In some cases, this act alone will keep the temperature in the garage a full 10 degrees warmer than outside.
- Disconnect garden hoses. Drain the hoses appropriately before storing for the winter.
- Locate the main water cut-off and be ready to turn it off if a pipe does freeze. You may be able to avoid a big mess if you catch it early enough.
- If you are fortunate enough to locate a frozen pipe before it bursts, use a hair dryer to thaw it.
Just a little preparation goes a long way when it gets this cold overnight. Avoid the stress and cost that comes with a big clean up by taking these simple steps ahead of time. We hope you (and your water lines) stay snug and warm this winter!
Richardson Housing Group (RHG Homes) builds new homes in Atlanta. For more information on our new home communities in Gwinnett and Barrow Counties, including available homes, photos, floorplans, and more, visit us online at www.RHGHomes.com. To keep up-to-date on the latest news and offerings by RHG Homes, check us out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RHG.homes. You can also catch up with us on Twitter and see footage of our beautiful new homes and communities on YouTube!
December 28, 2020
Photo by Sindre Strøm from Pexels.