Here in Greater Cincinnati, frozen pipes can be a big problem for homeowners. A little advance planning can prevent expensive and inconvenient damage to your house, especially if you follow the tips provided by experienced local HVAC contractors and the Greater Cincinnati Water Works (GCWW). Remember that here in our area, homeowners are responsible for preventing frozen inside meters and will be charged for repairs by the GCWW.

Try these simple preventive steps to keep your pipes safe from the inevitable winter deep freeze:

• Keep out the cold by caulking air leaks and cracks and eliminating drafts around windows, doors and plumbing pipe entry holes.
• Insulate pipes in unheated areas like crawl spaces, unheated basements, garages and attics by wrapping exposed sections, including valves, with insulating tape, foam or flexible pipe sleeves. Electrical heat tape is not recommended for water pipes due to fire dangers.
• If you have a separate valve for outdoor fixtures and faucets, close it, detach hoses and drain. Otherwise, wrap the faucets using rags and/or newspaper and add plastic to cover.
• Drain ground sprinklers according to manufacturer directions.
• When it's below freezing out, leave kitchen and bath cupboard doors open so warmer indoor air can counteract any cold that may be leaking in through the home's siding.
• Allow faucets farthest from the street to drip when it's below freezing. The extra cost to your water bill will be much less than the cost of a frozen meter or pipes.
• When leaving home for an extended period, shut off your home's main water supply and water heater. Drain the system by flushing toilets and turning on fixtures in all the sinks, bath tubs and showers. Then, remove the plug at the main shut-off valve so it can drain completely. Leave your heating system on low, since it may help prevent freezing.

If pipes freeze despite your best efforts, you can try applying heat with a hand-held hairdryer, slowly, to restore water flow.

Questions about frozen pipes or insulation issues? Contact the experts at JonLe Heating & Cooling. Visit our website to learn more or just give us a call! 

Frozen faucet image via Shutterstock.