KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A blast of arctic air is expected to hit East Tennessee later this week, bringing freezing temperatures later Thursday night into Friday morning. Winter weather can cause several issues inside people's homes if they do not prepare for the frigid weather.
One way to prepare a home for winter weather is to seal any air leaks around pipes and add insulation to any exposed water pipes. The pipes could be located inside a crawlspace or an attic and they could be insulated with foam sleeves. People can also leave their pipes dripping, to keep water flowing.
Otherwise, pipes could freeze, which could lead to pipes bursting and spilling gallons of water.
As water freezes, it expands which could put more pressure on the pipes containing it. With too much pressure, water could crack open the pipes leading to hundreds of dollars in repairs.
People could also purchase salt ice melt to help thaw their driveways or sidewalks. Using ice melt can help prevent injuries from slipping on ice.
People can also make sure heat stays in their homes by sealing off doors and windows, and checking for any air leaks around them. It can also be a good idea to inspect any caulking on door frames and replace any failed weather stripping.