The cold season means your pipes – as well as any other household systems that consume water – are at risk. Nationwide, some 250,000 Americans experience property damage every year from flooding caused by frozen and ruptured pipes. Here's what you can do to avoid that:

• If you have any exposed pipes and outdoor faucet, make sure they are insulated (or heated).
• Disconnect all hoses.
• Crawl spaces pipes are vulnerable if the vents are left open.
• Warm air circulating throughout the home also benefits plumbing below floors and inside walls.
• Opening faucets in the house just enough to emit a trickle of water, and leaving them running during any period when temperatures drop below the pipe-freezing threshold is an effective way to prevent damage to pipes.
• If you have a sump pump in your basement, keep an eye on the sump pump outlet pipe. Make sure the outlet is not blocked by fallen snow or an iced-over puddle.
• Know where your water shut-off valve is.
• Save our number in case of plumbing emergency in Montgomery and Bucks County, PA: (215) 945-8560