Winter is in full swing in Chelmsford, MA. Although our temperatures can be unpredictable, a cold snap of freezing weather can spell disaster for your pipes. Anytime the temperature is going to hover around 32 degrees or below, that is when the danger of a frozen pipe goes up. 

The pipes in the most danger of freezing are those in basements and attic spaces. These areas are typically less insulated than other places in your home and can freeze more easily. These spaces are also the least visible in your home, so you may not notice a frozen pipe immediately. A frozen pipe left alone can easily turn into a burst pipe. A burst pipe causes flooding damage to affected rooms and loss of water to parts of your home.

The other vulnerable spot in your home is exterior faucets and hoses. These pipes are closest to the outside of your home and at risk of freezing. Just like basements and attics, you may not notice that an exterior faucet has a frozen pipe until water damage has already begun. But how can you avoid this stressful winter plumbing issue? 

Here are some tips to prevent frozen pipes in Chelmsford:

• Keep the Heat On: It may be tempting to turn down the thermostat when you go away, but it’s critical you ignore that instinct. If you leave your heat set too low, you expose your home to freezing pipes in more places than just a basement or attic. Keeping the heat set to 55 degrees or above is your first defense to frozen pipes. 
• Insulate Attic/Basement: Insulating your attic and basement will help retain the heat in those areas. Any degree you can raise that internal temperature will ward off a frozen pipe emergency. Insulation will save your pipes and save you money on your heating bills, too! 
• Insulate Your Pipes: If you add insulation to the outside of your pipes, you are decreasing the chance of a frozen pipe as well. The insulation stops the water inside the pipes from freezing and bursting. Pipe insulation also has benefits for warmer weather. When your home is air-conditioned and cool, it will help water in your pipes stay warm for a hot shower in the summer. 
• Shut Off Outside Water: Before a serious cold snap, shut off the water to your exterior hoses and pipes. This will eliminate any chance of an exterior pipe freezing and bursting. 

If your pipes do freeze- don’t panic. Your trusted plumbers at Milltown Plumbing are here to help. We can assist with repairing your burst pipe or insulating them before they freeze. 

Why Choose Milltown Plumbing?

Milltown Plumbing has been the trusted service provider for the Merrimack Valley for over 35 years. We use that wealth of experience to bring the highest quality plumbing and customer service experience possible to our customers. Our certified plumbers are always clean, courteous, and respectful of your home. We leave the space better than the condition we found it and ensure your satisfaction with our services. Our goal is to provide honest answers to your questions, and cost-effective solutions for any plumbing issues you may have.

By Milltown Plumbing