With winter around the corner and freezing temperatures starting to arrive, cold air can cause pipes to freeze and burst, potentially causing flooding and severe water damage.

Try these 8 tips to get your home ready for winter:

  • Search for pipes that are not insulated or that pass through unheated spaces, such as crawlspaces, basements, or garages. Wrap them with pre-molded foam rubber sleeves or fiberglass insulation, available at hardware stores.
  • Before freezing weather sets in, make sure the water to your hose bibs is shut off inside your house (via a turnoff valve), and that lines are drained.
  • Nearly 15% of an average home energy bill goes to heating water. Wrapping your water heater in an insulation blanket can help reduce heat loss.
  • To save wear and tear on your cooling system, drain any hoses and air conditioner pipes and check for excess water pooled in equipment. If your home is heated by a hot-water radiator, bleed the valves by opening them slightly. Close them when water appears.
  • Add extra insulation to the attic to prevent warm air from creeping into your roof, causing ice damage to the roof and gutters.
  • Keep water temperature around 120 degrees and install inexpensive low-flow shower heads to reduce hot water use. Lowering the temperature to 120 degrees would reduce water heating costs by 6% to 10%.
  • Clean out gutters and downspouts to remove debris that could freeze and cause clogs during cold weather.
  • Know where your water main is located in case you need to turn it off during an emergency.

Source: American Water