Here in Minnesota, it’s no news that temperatures can drop to unbearably frigid numbers during the winter months. As a homeowner, keeping your home heated and comfortable this winter is a priority. However, the bitter cold can take a toll on your plumbing system and cause frozen pipes. Taking proactive measures now can help prevent pipes from freezing.

A few ways to reduce the risk of frozen pipes include:

• Inspect water pipes regularly. Look for any signs of leakage – large or small. Leakage should be repaired immediately before pooling and freezing occurs.
• Apply heat trace cables on piping along exterior walls or unheated areas. Trace heating as a second layer is a great preventative measure to help keep your pipes warm.
• Add insulation to attics, crawl spaces, and basements. These often forgotten about spaces – with lower temps than the rest of your house – may allow pipes to freeze without the proper measures in place. Insulating these areas will help ensure that the piping remains open and active.
• Set your thermostat to at least 55 degrees. Setting your thermostat to operate at a temperature above freezing may allow the pipes to remain open. The heating bill is minimal compared to the frustration and cost of having to deal with frozen pipes.

We’ve listed a few steps you can take to prevent frozen pipes this winter. Schedule an appointment with a local HVAC company, like Valor Mechanical, who can help locate, diagnose, and act upon potential problem areas before it’s too late. Call the Valor Mechanical team at 507.218.8400 to learn more about our specialized residential services and how to prepare your home for the next polar vortex that sweeps over southeastern Minnesota!