An extreme deep freeze will hit Massachusetts February 3-4 and frozen pipes can cause costly damage to your home. The freezing season continues through February and even into March.
The three central causes of frozen pipes are quick drops in temperature, poor insulation, and thermostats set too low. Water expands when it freezes, and this expansion puts a huge amount of pressure on plastic or metal pipes. Homeowners often know when a pipe bursts due to large puddles of water in the home, in addition to clangs and rattles. If your pipes freeze and burst, turn off the water main and contact a professional plumber immediately.
Pipes that are most susceptible to freezing are:
- Pipes that are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, and water sprinkler lines.
- Water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets.
- Pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation.
For an in-depth and helpful guide to prevent your pipes from freezing and what actions to take if they do freeze, please reference this article from Consumer Reports.