Tips to prevent frozen pipes

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – “Even a one-eighth inch break in a pipe can spray more than 250 gallons of water. So if it’s left unattended, it can flood your whole home before you even realize it,” Kerry Smith said.

Smith is a State Farm Agent and owns an agency in Red Bank.

She recently shared a few tips to prevent frozen pipes from bursting.

That includes letting water drip overnight.

“If there’s a faucet on the outside wall that’s ideally the best way for it to go ahead and drip,” Smith said.

You can open cabinet doors.

“Allowing the heat to get in uninsulated areas, pipes under the sinks and appliances for exterior walls,” Smith said.

She also said that you should keep the thermostat set above 55 degrees.

“A lot of people want to lower their thermostats, but you don’t want to go any lower than 55 degrees, because then you can cause a problem with it being too cold and then create the issue,” Smith said.

Smith said folks should make sure pipes are properly insulated as well.

“The best thing a homeowner can do to prevent a loss is just making sure they’re aware of those places that would cause the biggest problem that could occur from loss. Again, under your sink, the pipes that lead to the outside of your home, those pipes on the outside,” she said.

If you’re going out of town, Smith suggests shutting the water off.