How to Prevent Frozen Pipes When You're Away From Your Lake Home

When the temperatures drop really low, your pipes have a chance of freezing, which puts pressure on them and can cause them to burst. Here are some preventative measures to reduce the chances of frozen pipes!

Insulate Pipes

If you have an attic or crawl space, you may want to consider insulating those pipes. You can also wrap your pipes in heat tape or heat cables with a thermostat control. Depending on your home will determine which type of pipe insulation that will be best for you.

Seal or Caulk Any Cracks that Might Let in Cold Air

If there are any cracks in your home, especially where pipes run from inside to outside the home. You should seal or caulk things like dryer vents and water pipes.

Have a Neighbor Keep an Eye Out

If you don't live at your home full-time and have a trusty neighbor, give them a key so they can check up on things every once in a while. This will help you possibly catch the problems early and give you peace of mind.

Take Other Preventive Measures Inside Your Home

• Open the kitchen and bathroom doors/cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. This is especially necessary if your sinks are on an exterior wall.

• Let cold water drip from a pipe that is served by exposed pipes. The water only needs to be running at a trickle to prevent the pipes from freezing.

• Leave the heat on in your home and do not let it drop below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Turn off your water completely at your main shut-off and blow your pipes out to ensure all water has been removed.

• If there is a room that gets much colder than the others, you may want to consider adding a space heater to that room. Just be sure the space heater is plugged into a GFCI outlet and don't use an extension cord.