One of the most common problems that homeowners face in the winter is damage to water pipes from freezing conditions. Here’s a short list of some preventative steps that you can take during those cold snaps when it’s more cold than not ~~

Leave your taps open. Just a little bit, a very slight drip, can make a difference in freezing weather. Also, hot water, because of its mineral content, freezes faster than cold water.

If you have a vanity in your bathroom, leave the doors open so that warm air can circulate and help keep your pipes warm. Same for the doors under your kitchen sink.

Have you turned off the water to your outside water source? That is especially susceptible in this weather, so make sure that you turn off the water flow from inside the house. You would find this on the inside of the house, probably in your basement, on the other side of the wall from where your hose is connected.

Do you have heat tapes on your pipes? This is going to sound obvious, but make sure that they are plugged in and working properly.

If you know of any additional helpful hints for keeping the water flowing, leave them in the comments. Have a safe and leak-free winter!