When winter arrives, homeowners' main concern is getting frozen pipes; thus, this post by Archer Cleaning & Restoration Services in Polk County lists five ways you can prevent frozen pipes in winter.

As you might be aware, your home's pipes are susceptible to damage during the cold winter months. The reason for this is that, as the temperature lowers, water reaches its freezing point; consequently, it expands by approximately 9% inside the pipes. However, this is not an issue since ice makes its way through the water pipes; the real problem is that as it forms, ice displaces and compresses the water that remains in liquid form; as a result, pressure builds up and bursts the pipes. If one of your pipes gets fractured, you'll be dealing with a leak that could lead to major issues; such as water damage or mold. To learn how you can prevent frozen pipes in winter, read this post that Archer Cleaning & Restoration Services has prepared for you.

If cold temperatures take a toll on your water pipes, close the main water shut-off valve and call the restoration experts at Archer Cleaning & Restoration Services at 888-436-3499 right away. They will conduct any necessary repairs to your pipes to prevent water damage and help you keep your home safe and warm for the winter. Additionally, they offer 24/7 services, so you can contact them whenever your home requires the best cleaning and restoration services in Polk County.

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes in Winter

Shut off and Insulate All Outdoor Faucets

As you might know, pipes that go from the inside of your home to the exterior are highly liable to freezing; therefore, you should prevent cold air from entering and freezing your outdoor water pipes. To that end, get all your outdoor faucets cleared out and emptied by disconnecting and draining all hoses. Then, you can use styrofoam spigot covers to insulate the exterior faucets throughout the winter. Additionally, you can close the valve that feeds the outdoor faucets to prevent water from flowing to the exterior spigots and freezing; hence, locate the valve serving the external spigots and close it.

Insulate Your Pipes

Insulation is a low-cost way to prevent frozen pipes in winter; to that end, you can use fiberglass pipe wrap or tubular foam rubber insulation to keep the low temperatures from reaching your pipes. Make sure to insulate all the exposed water lines, especially those located in the coldest areas in your home, such as the basement or the exterior walls. Besides insulating your pipes, it's important to note that your overall house should be properly insulated to keep your water supply from freezing. To that end, make sure there's enough fiberglass or cellulose insulation inside your attic, crawl space, and basement walls; plus, keep the doors and windows sealed to keep the cold air outside and hold as much heat as possible within your property.

Aside from learning how you can prevent frozen pipes in winter, learn more information about the best cleaning and restoration services in Polk County by calling the experts at Archer Cleaning & Restoration Services at 888-436-3499.

Let Faucets Drip

When the temperature gets below freezing, chances are the water will turn to ice, which means the pressure on your water pipes will build up; hence, you'll need to let a faucet run at a steady but slow stream to keep the water moving and relieve accumulated pressure. So, let one or two faucets drip slowly when the cold gets below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. To avoid dripping water from wasting, you can place a bucket under the faucet to save it while the pipes thaw.

Use Heating Devices to Warm Up the Pipes

Besides insulating your home and letting a couple of faucets open during the coldest days, you could use heating devices to allow warm air to flow inside your house. Doing so is essential because, in most properties, water pipes are exposed in the least heated rooms, for example, the basement, crawl space, storage rooms, attic, or garage. You can use a heated lamp or an electric space heater to hold some warmness in your home's coldest areas, so you can prevent exposed pipes from freezing.

Open Cabinet Doors

Another way to prevent your plumbing from freezing is to warm the pipes inside your cabinet doors; to that end, make sure to open all the vanities and cupboards in your laundry room, kitchen, and bathrooms to let the warm air circulate the pipes.

If you suspect your pipes are burst and leaking, call Archer Cleaning & Restoration Services and get a thorough service to prevent water damage and ensure your pipes are in the best condition. For more information about the best cleaning and restoration services in Polk County, call 888-436-3499.