Frozen pipes can be disruptive, frustrating, and expensive. When the water in your pipes freezes, it expands. This puts extreme pressure on your pipes. That pressure builds until the pipe cracks or bursts. This usually leads to severe water damage and flooding. Exterior faucets and pipes in exterior walls, basements, attics, and crawl spaces are the most vulnerable. The damage occurs when the ice thaws. The full force of water quickly soaks your walls, floors, and ceilings. The following tips can help you prevent burst pipes and costly repairs.
Drain Outside Faucets
You don’t want the water in your outdoor spigots to freeze. These faucets are the most vulnerable when the temperature starts to drop.
To protect the outside faucets, first find the shut-off valve. It’s usually inside your home in the basement, utility room, or crawl space. Close it so that the water stops flowing to the exterior spigot. Then, open the spigot to allow any remaining water to drain. Leave it open to allow room for expansion if there is any water still left in the line. Even the smallest amount of water in your outdoor pipes can freeze, which can create a blockage or burst the pipe.
Install Frost-Proof Faucets
Instead of a standard faucet, you can install frost-proof ones. These feature a longer stem. This stem goes further into your home where there’s heat. This helps prevents water from freezing near the valve seat.
If you’re considering adding an additional outdoor faucet, purchase a frost-proof one made with PEX piping. They protect against water freezing in the exterior portion of the spigot. They’re more expensive, but it’s worth it for the peace of mind they provide.
Store the Garden Hose
Before the cold winter weather sets in, disconnect and drain your garden hoses. Put them in a dry storage area to protect them from damage. This prolongs the hose’s lifespan and helps you avoid leaks. If you don’t disconnect the garden hose, any water left in it can freeze, expand, and ruin the hose and faucet.
Drain Outdoor Water Supplies
You’ll want to drain the water from your sprinkler system and swimming pool supply lines. It’s easy to overlook these areas, but they’re just as vulnerable to freezing as the pipes in your home. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, usually provided by your installer. Avoid using antifreeze in these lines. It’s not environmentally friendly and can harm pets, wildlife, and your landscaping.
Insulate Your Pipes
Insulating pipes in attics, basements, garages, and crawl spaces is one of the best ways to avoid freezing. Use foam pipe insulation. You’ll need to cut it with a utility knife to the size you need. Secure it around both your hot- and cold-water pipes. It keeps those pipes at a stable temperature. Investing in high-quality pipe insulation will save money by helping you avoid repair costs from frozen and burst pipes.
Use Heating Cables
Heating cables wrap around your pipes and generate heat when it gets cold outside. They include a sensor that turns the heating element on as the temperature near the freezing point. These are ideal in older homes that don’t meet today’s insulation standards. They’re low maintenance and provide you with an extra layer of protection against freezing.
Open Cabinet Doors
If your kitchen or bathroom sinks are on exterior walls, open your cabinet doors when the temperature drops. This allows the heat in your home to reach the pipes and keep them from freezing. This is simple to do, but it’s essential during longer cold spells.
Don’t Turn the Heater Off
In winter, you don’t want to turn the heater off. While you want to lower it when people are not home or are sleeping, turning it completely off is not advised, even if you’re going on vacation. Turning the heat completely off makes your pipes vulnerable to bursting. A slightly higher energy bill is better than the cost of pipe repairs.
If you’re going to be spending a long period away from home for a vacation or business travel, you can turn your thermostat down to 55° Fahrenheit. Ask a neighbor or friend to stop by and check on things from time to time. This is the best protection against potential problems. If there is an issue, you’ll be able to address it quickly. If you turn off the water supply, you’ll be further adding protection against freezing pipes.
Seal Leaks and Gaps
Look for any cracks near your water supply lines that can let the cold air in. Seal these gaps in your ceilings, floors, and walls with foam insulation or caulk. This keeps that frigid air from getting to your pipes. Cold air leaking in reduces the temperature in these areas, which increases the risk of your pipes freezing. A significant amount of cold air can come through even a small crack. Proper sealing is essential.
Let the Faucets Drip
Let your most vulnerable faucets drip slightly during the coldest times of the year. That steady flow of water will keep the pipes from freezing. This is because flowing water carries more energy, which reduces the risk of ice forming in your pipes. Even though this method wastes a small amount of water, it’s substantially better than dealing with water damage and costly repairs. Again, if you’ll be out of town, ask a neighbor or trusted friend to do this for you if the forecast predicts freezing temperatures.
Improve Your Insulation
Upgrading your home’s insulation or adding it to areas that don’t have any will help you avoid frozen pipes while lowering your energy costs. This is especially important in areas where your pipes are.
Many homes, especially older ones, don’t have adequate insulation in areas like the basement and attic. Upgrading it in these locations protects your pipes by creating a stable temperature, avoiding severe drops in the temperature.
Check for Existing Leaks
Regularly inspect the visible portion of your plumbing system for leaks and damages. Take care of these issues promptly. We also advise having a professional inspection each year before winter arrives. We’ll identify potential problems, make sure your pipes have adequate insulation, and make all necessary repairs to ensure your pipes are ready to withstand the cold temperatures.
Rely on Our Professional Team
By following these simple tips, you’ll be doing all you can to protect your pipes from freezing. If something goes wrong, Absolute Services can help when you experience burst pipes in Louisville. In addition to our pipe repair services, our plumbers can handle all of your plumbing issues and assist you with your water heater, gas line, and sump pump needs. We also offer electrical services such as whole-home surge protection, lighting installations, and electrical repairs. Of course, we also offer HVAC repairs, installation, and maintenance.
We have over 16 years of experience offering unbeatable service. As an award-winning company, we provide upfront pricing and a satisfaction guarantee. Call Absolute Services now to hear more about all of the services we offer to residents of Louisville and throughout central Kentucky.
