Plumbing Tips by Kirkland & Shaw

The winter of 2018 has been one of the coldest winters so far and our phones have been ringing off the hook for frozen pipes. So we put together these tips to help prevent your pipes from freezing this winter.
- Open your faucets to a trickle – When extremely cold nights are in the weather forecast open up your faucets enough so the water is trickling out. Moving water will help prevent pipes from freezing up while standing water may freeze and cause your pipes to burst.
- Set your thermostat to a minimum 55 degrees and consider a smart thermostat that will alert you to your smart phone if temperatures drop below a preselected temperature.
- Keep the cabinet doors under vanities and sinks open especially along exterior walls. Warm air circulating underneath your cabinets could prevent a frozen pipe disaster.
- Check your homes insulation, especially around your plumbing. Insulate your pipes with foam or fiberglass pipe insulation. In problem areas consider electric pipe heating cables.
- When frozen pipes burst the amount of damage can be very expensive so investing in a little time and spending a little money to prevent a burst pipe disaster is well worth it.
Kirkland and Shaw Inc.
5 Adams Street
Burlington, MA 01803
781-272-2670