| Prevent Frozen Pipes |
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| If you think turning the heat down in your home while you're away on vacation will save you a few dollars, think again. If your home's pipes should freeze and burst, it could end up costing thousands of dollars to repair floors and replace furniture and keepsakes. The damage could be so severe that you and your family would have to relocate while repairs are made. |
| By taking a few simple precautions, you can save yourself a ton of aggravation. |
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| Here are a few simple steps to protect your home or apartment: |
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To prevent freezing: |
 Leave a cold water tap running slowly, at a level just above a drip.
- Leave interior cupboard doors under sinks open, especially if the sink piping is adjacent to an exterior wall.
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- Shut off and drain pipes leading to outside faucets
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- Do not turn the furnace below 12°C (55°F) during absences or at night.
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- Seal any leaks that allow cold air inside where pipes are located.
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- Locate and insulate pipes most susceptible to freezing: near outside walls, in crawl spaces, and in attics. Many hardware stores carry foam pipe insulation for this purpose.
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- If you plan to be away, have someone check your house daily to make sure the heat is on and no problems occur. Alternatively, shut off and drain the water system (except fire sprinkler systems).
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