Winter temperatures may be upon us, but there is still time to prepare your home before the first big freeze of the season. Water has a unique property in that it expands in volume as it freezes. If it happens to freeze inside of a container or a pipeline, the pressure buildup of the expanded ice can cause the container or pipe to burst, resulting in damage and expensive repairs. How to Protect Your Pipes To protect your pipes in the winter, wrap exterior hose bibs and exposed pipes with insulation. When expecting a hard freeze, leave cabinet doors open to sinks located on exterior walls, and set your faucets to a very slight drip. Even a small amount of moving water can be sufficient to prevent water from freezing completely in the pipes. Extended temperatures cold enough to cause pipes to freeze are uncommon in our region, but not impossible. If you are planning to be away from home for an extended period of time this winter, it may not be a good idea to turn the heater ...
