Wrap the tape or cables around water pipes, plug in the cord and the heating element will warm the pipes to prevent freezing. Heat tape can also be used to wrap pipes.These exposed pipes are most susceptible to freezing. Also insulate pipes in your home's crawl spaces and attic. Insulate pipes, especially in a garage or basement next to an outside wall. If you choose to leave the water service turned on: If you're unsure, your plumber will be able to help. Important Tip: If your house has hot water heat, don't turn off water to any kind of boiler unless the system has a low-water cutoff valve installed. Important Tip: If your house has a fire protection sprinkler system, it will be deactivated if you shut off the water. If your house has a water softener, shut off its supply line. Shut off the gas to the water heater (or the gas company can do this for you), or turn the temperature control to a "vacation" setting. Your local home improvement store often has how-to workshops that can also show you how to perform these steps or refer you to a licensed contractor. Once this has been done, the plumber should flush all toilets and drain the shower head pipe.Īfter observing your plumber once or twice, this might be a job you could easily tackle yourself. Seek the advice of a professional plumber, who can shut off the valve at the water meter and send water outdoors and away from the house or into a basement drain. If you are leaving for an extended period of time, the best protection is to have the water shut off and the water lines drained. Pipes, water heaters and other appliances can leak, or in freezing weather, pipes can freeze and burst, which can cause major damage in a home left unattended. In this case, set your air conditioner to 85 degrees.īoth plastic (PVC) and copper pipes can burst. In warmer climates, high temperatures and humidity can damage furniture or other home contents.Instead, lower it to a temperature that's warm enough to keep pipes from freezing but low enough that you are not spending money to heat an empty home. In colder climates, don't turn the thermostat off.Whether you travel extensively for business or pleasure, have rental property that is unoccupied, or share time between two homes: before closing up your house for any real length of time, take the necessary steps to keep it safe and protected.Īdjusting the thermostat is one of the easiest things to do, but something that's easily forgotten. When your house needs you the most, you may not be there.
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