One of the messiest and most costly homeowner repairs is fixing a burst or frozen pipe. Water from a burst pipe can cause damage to carpeting, short out electrical appliances and ruin furniture. Luckily, there are several ways to protect your home:

• Keep the heat in your house at a minimum of 55° F.
• Allow faucets to drip slightly, which can alleviate pressure in the piping system.
• Keep interior doors open. This allows heat from the rest of your house to spread, keeping your pipes warm.
• Seal any cracks and holes found near your pipes. This can help keep cold air out of your home.
• Add extra insulation to your pipes. Experts recommend fitting your pipes with foam rubber or fiberglass sleeves.

Water expands as it freezes and puts significant pressure on the metal or plastic pipes that hold it. If you fail to take the proper precautions, your pipes can easily fail during a cold winter, which can be incredibly costly to repair.

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