5 ways to prepare your SC home for overnight freezing as coldest weather of winter nears
Freezing temperatures are attacking South Carolina throughout the coming days.
Is your home prepared?
Such low temperatures are generally not a common occurrence throughout the state, especially in the coastal regions, so many homes are not prepared to withstand the drastic change. According to the National Weather Service, South Carolina is expected to see lows in the 20s on Friday, followed by highs in just the 30s on Saturday and then lows in the teens — the coldest temperatures in the state so far this winter.
With the recent threat of freezing weather amid colder-than-normal temperatures, many homes along the coast with exposed water pipes may prove to be vulnerable.
“South Carolina homeowners should be aware that pipes in attics, crawl spaces and outside walls are all subject to freezing and bursting. If these pipes don’t have insulation or heat to protect them, a strong overnight freeze can cause trouble,” detailed Farm Bureau Insurance.
If you notice that temperatures are expected to reach the freezing point, you should take precautionary measures to avoid an expensive result.
To help prevent your pipes from freezing amid freezing temperatures in South Carolina, homeowners can act on the following suggestions.
Drip your faucets slowly for the duration of the freezing temperatures to keep a constant flow of water through pipes that are vulnerable to freezing. Although ice could still form, an open faucet allows water to escape before the pressure builds to where a pipe can burst. If the dripping stops without turning off the faucet, this could be an indication that ice is blocking the pipe. If this happens, continue to keep the faucet open as the pipe still needs the pressure relief.
Remove and store indoors any hoses on your property during the winter.
Consider wrapping exposed pipes with insulation sleeves, which can be found at your local hardware store.
Be sure to know the location of the main water shut-off valve inside your home. This is so it can be shut off quickly in the event of a burst water pipe or leak.
Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes.
This story was originally published January 18, 2024 at 10:29 AM.
