Even though we’re into February, Oklahoma’s unpredictable climate could still produce plenty of freezing nights in the coming weeks. That means the threat of frozen pipes and the subsequent damage to your home is still a real threat before the official on-set of spring. Thankfully, there are some helpful ways to prevent pipes from freezing in the first place. At Popular Mechanics, Roy Berendsohn lists a few of these tips. Here are our favorites.

• Preparation

If the weather is bad enough, there’s a chance pipes in any home could freeze. To minimize damage and the associated costs, preparation is key. Know where your water shutoff is located in case of disaster. It’s also helpful to have a temporary patch kit handy. You can find them at most hardware stores and home centers. While they’re not a permanent solution, they can save you from thousands of dollars in water damage and even give you working pipes while you wait on a plumber.

• Crank up the heat

While cold temperatures probably have you worrying about your heating bill, it will be much more costly to replace a pipe that has burst due to freezing. By keeping your home warmer, the pipes in the walls and running through your crawl space will be warmer. That may just be enough to keep them above freezing.

• Open cabinets

Pipes that run through an exterior wall are especially vulnerable to freezing. Opening any cabinets along that wall helps heat to keep those pipes slightly warmer. Some even suggest using an electric heater at spots that are the most concerning. Remember, the goal is to simply keep pipes from freezing. They don’t have to be toasty and warm.

• Detach hoses

This is perhaps the easiest measure to prevent pipes from freezing, but also the easiest to forget. When a hose is connected to an outdoor spigot, water rests in the connected pipe and can freeze and burst behind the wall. Repairs can be costly, so before winter begins, be sure to remove and drain all hoses and store them for the season. Since Oklahoma’s weather fluctuates, it’s a good practice to always remove hoses when you’re finished using them. That way, your watering on a warm day in January won’t cost you when the cold front moves in the next week.

Frozen pipes create the need for costly repairs and can be the cause of mold growth. It’s worth it to take the time to take every precaution possible to prevent this damage.

At Perry Hood Properties, we want your home to stay as beautiful as the day you bought it. But, when you’re ready for a new home, contact us to build terrific floor plans in attractive neighborhoods.