{{According to State Farm Insurance, {around|about|approximately} 250,000 homes are {damaged|at least partially damaged} {by|because of} frozen pipes {every year|every winter|each year}|{Every|Each} year, approximately 250,000 homes experience damage caused by frozen pipes, according to State Farm Insurance}.|Frozen pipes are something that no property owner wants to {experience|deal with}.} As the water {inside these pipes|in frozen pipes} expands, it can cause {flooding from broken pipes|pipes to break and floods to occur}. {In fact, {a crack as small as 1/8″|an 1/8″ crack} can cause 250 gallons of {water to flood|flooding} in a {day|single day}. |}{While extremely cold {temperatures|winters} in Baton Rouge can cause this to {occur|happen} to {anyone|even the savviest homeowner}, there are {things you can do|steps you can take} to prevent frozen pipes {from happening|in your home}|There is no way to {guarantee that|ensure} this never {occurs|happens} in Baton Rouge, but there are things you can do to prevent this {from happening|experience}}. {{Read|Follow} the steps below to {reduce|lower} the possibility of {frozen pipes and flooding|flooding} this winter|The steps below may be able to prevent frozen pipes and {flooding this winter|flooding}}.
#1: Drain outdoor water
{It doesn’t take a {genius|research scientist|brain surgeon|rocket scientist|plumber} to {figure out|determine} that outdoor pipes are more {susceptible|prone} to freezing|Outdoor pipes are obviously more {likely to freeze than indoor pipes|{prone|susceptible} to freezing}}. {Take some time|Before temperatures drop severely, take some time|Schedule time} to drain {sprinkler|your sprinkler} supply lines, swimming pools, and outdoor hose bibs.{ {It is also wise to|You should also} drain {your hoses|hoses} and {store them|keep them} in {a covered spot|your garage or shed}.|}
#2: Install pipe sleeves or heat tape to exposed pipes
{It’s {critical|essential|important} to insulate any pipes in your {property|home} that are exposed|If there are {visible pipes in your home|{pipes|any pipes} in your {house|home} that are visible}, take extra {time|care} to insulate them|Take extra care to insulate exposed pipes}. {Use|You can use} {heat tape or pipe sleeves|pipe sleeves or heat tape} to provide {an extra layer of|extra} protection from chilly {weather|temperatures}.
#3: Monitor your thermostat
{Winter is not the {right|best} time to save money on {utilities|your utility bill} by turning off your thermostat|Break the habit of turning off your thermostat to save money in the winter}. {{Ensure that|Make sure} your thermostat {isn’t|is not} set {lower|any lower} than 55 degrees, especially if you {leave town|are out of town|go on vacation}|If you ever {leave town|are out of town|go on vacation}, make sure it is not set to anything lower than 55 degrees}.
#4: Consider adding insulation
{Are your {basement, attic|attic, basement}, or crawl space {in need of|lacking} insulation? If so, you {should|may want to} {consider|think about} adding some|Check your {basement, attic|attic, basement}, and crawl spaces to see if they are lacking insulation}. {Doing this|This purchase} won’t {just|only} lower the possibility of {broken or frozen|frozen or broken} pipes, it will also help lessen the blow of {what your pay for utilities|utility bill costs}.
#5: Be prepared
{You may be able to {find|notice} a frozen pipe before it {bursts|breaks} if you {see|notice} a {small|slow} trickle of water when you open {your|a} faucet|If you {see|notice} a {slow|small} trickle when you open a faucet, you may have a frozen {pipe|pipe on your hands}}. {With the faucet open, apply heat to the pipe with {an electric heating pad or hair dryer|a hair dryer or electric heating pad}|Keep the faucet open and apply heat, either with {an electric heating pad or hair dryer|a hair dryer or electric heating pad}, to the pipe}. (Do not use an open flame device.) {Maintain|Monitor the open faucet and maintain} heat until water pressure {returns|is restored}.
{Contact Paul Davis Restoration of Baton Rouge as soon as {you can|possible} if you {have|experience} a broken pipe in your Baton Rouge {property|home or business}|If you do {have a broken pipe|experience broken pipes} in your home or business property this winter, contact Paul Davis Restoration of Baton Rouge as soon as possible}. {Our|Our professional} {flood|water} restoration services {are able to|can} provide {assistance|immediate assistance} {and get you back on your feet soon|in an emergency like this}.