CT plumbers warn of frozen pipes with cold here to stay

With the cold seemingly moving in for good, plumbers in southwestern Connecticut advise homeowners to be proactive with their pipes.
As temperatures plummet, the likelihood of pipes freezing up increases. One plumbing company quoted a price of $300 just to thaw a frozen pipe, which is far less than if a pipe were to burst. Plumbers recommend sealing any and all air leaks, even the small ones. They also say a homeowner can install foam insulation in the walls around the pipes, or around the pipes themselves. A less-expensive method is heat tape, which is wrapped around more suspect pipes. The tape, however, could be a fire hazard, so caution is advised.
Keeping the thermostat at 68 degrees or above is another preventative measure that plumbers suggest. They say to set the thermostat that high even if the residents are on vacation because temperatures can vary greatly while they are away.