Winters in Northeastern Pennsylvania aren't always kind to us. The lower temperatures, snow and ice are in season and your home should be prepared. A common accident that happens when temperatures fall to freezing are frozen pipes that can lead to broken and bursted pipes. Especially as a new homeowner, you are not quite acquainted with your home yet and could oversee some areas in the home that need a little extra attention during winter preparations. After some talk with our agents, they were able to compile some helpful tips that will avoid any disasters and keep your home safe.

1. Open Cabinet Doors: In kitchen and bathrooms where there is any sort of exposed plumbing covered with cabinetry, open the doors to those cabinets. Circulated warmed air into this previously concealed area will aid to keep the pipes from freezing and help to keep the flow moving.
2. Heat Them Up: If you feel as though a pipe has already begun to freeze, there are a few handy household items to stop the freezing and start thawing. You can use a hairdryer to help up thaw the pipes. This is a slower process but still allows heat to reach the area.  You can also pour boiling water on the exposed pipe. In this case, use caution and lay out any towels or buckets to catch the access. Be sure not to use any items with flames as you are unsure what is flammable in the area of the pipes.
3. Bundle Them Up: When you're cold, what do you do? You can turn the heat up, or if you're opposed to that, wrap them in something warm. You can use blankets, towels, or visit your local hardware store to purchase insulation. Consult with a hardware store assistant or handyman of choice to find the insulation that is right for the job. 
4. Routine Checkups: Continuously check to make sure that the exposed feel warm. Make sure all water is flowing freely as normal. If you detect the pipes are feeling rather cold, use one of our tips above. If you notice a water flow that is abnormal turn off any water to the house right away and call your plumber to avoid any major disasters.

Meanwhile, if you have a home that is unoccupied, Lewith & Freeman agents strongly recommend the is best to be winterized instead of trying to keep them maintained.