Jon Ryan’s Top Tips for Frozen Pipe Prevention

Frozen pipes can occur in any home, but older homes and homes with aging plumbing systems or poor insulation are more prone to freezing. Pipes can easily freeze when temperatures dip low, and waking up to a frozen and/or burst pipe can easily ruin your day. That is why the experts at Genz-Ryan recommend preventing frozen pipes in the first place, and if you can’t, there are still ways to minimize the damage.

Owner and president Jon Ryan recently appeared on WCCO-TV to share simple steps you can take to stop your pipes from freezing altogether this winter, including:

Let Faucets Drip

Let cold water drip slightly in your kitchen and bathroom sinks. This will keep water flowing and help prevent ice crystals from forming.

Open Under-Sink Cabinets

Open the cabinets below your bathroom vanity and kitchen cupboards. This helps facilitate airflow over your pipes and prevent them from freezing over.

Maintain Your Heating System

You should schedule your furnace, heat pump, boiler, or other heating system for annual maintenance in the fall before the heating season is underway.

Staying on top of preventative maintenance will keep your system in good repair. A home without heat is uncomfortable and dangerous enough for your family without worrying about pipes freezing.

Check Intake & Exhaust Pipes for Ice & Snow Buildup

If your exhaust pipe freezes over, remove any ice you can see and check if that clears the problem. If not, hire a furnace professional to defrost the exhaust for you because there is a risk of water flowing back through your pipes and damaging your furnace.

A furnace professional can also inspect your exhaust system to determine whether improperly installed ventilation systems are causing your exhaust to freeze over.

Change Furnace Filters Monthly

Change your filters every month to ensure optimal furnace efficiency. Doing so will also help you breathe easier throughout the winter months when the air gets drier and stale.

What To Do If Your Pipes Are Already Frozen

Don’t panic — Genz-Ryan is standing by 24/7 to help. Call us as soon as you realize your pipes are frozen. Even if they haven’t burst, there’s a chance they may not have thawed yet and you could be looking at significant water damage if you don’t act quickly.

Call (612) 491-5496 for emergency plumbing service, or contact Genz-Ryan online to learn more about how to keep your home systems safe and in good condition throughout the winter.