Nicholson Offers Tips to Help Prevent Costly Damage from Frozen Pipes

"Frozen pipes bursting during a cold Massachusetts winter can cost homeowners thousands in repairs," said Mike Nicholson, owner of Nicholson Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning. "Bursting pipes put your belongings and furnishings at risk and can cause structural damage in severe cases. Fortunately, there are some best practices homeowners can use to prevent such a catastrophe from happening."

Nicholson Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning offers the following tips to prevent pipes from freezing:

• Check insulation – Homeowners should check the insulation in and around the house and identify any potential trouble areas. Filling in or adding insulation to attics, crawlspaces, basements and any other areas containing pipes may be necessary. Make sure to also seal any gaps that may be found in the home's foundation or siding.
• Leave cabinets open – Kitchen and bathroom sink cabinets are best left open during the coldest parts of winter. This allows the warm air circulating in the home to enter and help warm the plumbing.
• Use pipe insulation products – Installing specific pipe insulation products is a great precautionary measure. Pipe sleeves, heat tape and heat cable are all available for home use and can add an extra layer of protection.
• Maintain 55 degrees or higher – Even when leaving the residence for extended periods of time, maintaining a temperature throughout the home of 55 degrees or higher will help add an extra level of security to the plumbing. Any increase to the utility bill will still be less than the cost of typical repairs for burst water pipes or the damage it can cause to the rest of the home.
• Leave faucets at a trickle – Consider leaving faucets open at a trickle during the coldest temperatures. The small amount of water flow will help prevent water from freezing in place.

If a frozen pipe is suspected or discovered and is easily accessible, make sure to first leave the faucet open. Heat should then be applied to the pipe by using a hair dryer, portable space heater, heating pad, or by wrapping the pipe in warm towels. Avoid using any kind of device that operates on liquid fuel, like gasoline or kerosene, or has an open flame. Progress in thawing the pipe can be tracked by monitoring the water flow at the faucet.

"New England winters can be harsh, and temperatures below freezing occur regularly here from December through February," Nicholson said. "Anticipating the colder temperatures and proactively preparing for the worst will let you continue to focus more on your daily life and less on the hazards of a Massachusetts winter." 

For more information about preventing damage from frozen pipes, call Nicholson Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning at (508) 881-1500 or visit www.nicholson-hvac.com/. 

About Nicholson Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning

Based in Holliston, Massachusetts, Nicholson is a family-owned, full service residential plumbing, heating, and air conditioning company proudly serving all of the MetroWest area and beyond. Nicholson takes an all-encompassing approach to ensure clients reach the highest possible level of comfort, while staying within their budget. Nicholson was recently honored with the 2016 Carrier DCNE Outstanding Performance Award. The company offers a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee and Solid Warranty. Nicholson is an Angie's List "Super Service Award" recipient. For more information, visit Nicholson at http://www.nicholson-hvac.com/.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Heather Ripley
Ripley PR
865-977-1973
[email protected]

SOURCE Nicholson Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning

Related Links

http://www.nicholson-hvac.com