I consider myself lucky to live in an area where frozen pipes are a rarity. Rare as it is, it does happen and the risk is usually only two or three days a year.  I'm "lucky" enough (if you can call it luck) that I have had a frozen pipe for two years in a row and rush to call a plumber,  whom comes over and spends a couple of hours in my house thawing out the pipe while I'm having my morning coffee. This is not my idea of a relaxing morning!  It is always the same pipe and being a native North Carolinian, I had to learn what to do to avoid this.  The danger only happens if it stays below freezing all day long.  So if you live in a warm state and aren't use to frozen pipes you are even more at risk because, let's face it, when it hardly ever occurs we just don't think about it.

The pipes at most risk are exposed pipes in the crawl space, attic, and garage or along an outside wall. This is no time to think about water and energy conversation (that's me and why I fall victim).

•1.       Pipe your heating system up a little

•2.       Open all your cabinet doors that have plumbing, of course if you have pets and small children make sure to remove any cleaning supplies that you may have stored under the cabinet.

•3.       Drip the faucets - A good hard drip or a small stream using both cold and hot water because hot water pipes can also freeze.

•4.       If you can, in the middle of the night, get up and run both hot and cold water in your most vulnerable pipes for a few minutes.

•5.       Turn your washer on for a couple of minutes several times each night if the pipe is to an outside wall and use both hot and cold water. 

•6.       Take the ice out of the ice maker to make sure it continues to run and make ice.

•7.        Open any closet doors that have a back wall against plumbing pipes or closets that are on the lower level that are against floors where there are plumbing pipes. Bonus rooms are common here in North Carolina (rooms with bathrooms over garages) and frequently they have a closet in the garage under a staircase. This is the reason for the next tip.

•8.       If your problem area is a garage use a space heater in the garage - if you get nervous about space heaters being on while you are sleeping, start it up at dusk and leave on until you go to bed.

•9.       Ask your plumber about wrapping problem pipes. 

Having frozen pipes catches this gal that runs around barefoot most of the year by surprise every time! I'm sure there are lots more tips that my Northern Active Rain friends can give us here in Pinehurst, North Carolina. Of course, all tips are welcome!

Linda Breeding

910-690-8368

www.RealEstateInPinehurst.com