Guide on How to Prepare Your Pipes for Winter
Low temperatures impose a significant risk to your plumbing system. This is why it is crucial to prepare your pipes for the winter. This means insulating pipes, knowing how to use your shutoff valve, and taking steps to keep your home safe from cold weather. When water freezes, it expands. If this happens in your pipes, it can create a lot of pressure. This pressure can cause cracks or breaks, even in strong metal or plastic pipes.
Pipes do not even have to be outside to freeze. Pipes in unheated areas, such as crawl spaces, attics, garages, or cabinets next to outside walls, can also freeze. This guide will help you learn how to winterize your plumbing and avoid frozen pipes.
The Consequences of Frozen and Burst Pipes
Experiencing a frozen pipe can change your daily life. First, there is the immediate trouble of losing your water supply. Also, when water freezes in a pipe, it puts a lot of pressure on the pipe. This pressure can make the pipe burst. A burst pipe can let out gallons of water into your home. This can cause flooding and damage to the structure and create a place for mold to grow.
Fixing a burst pipe usually calls for a licensed plumber and can lead to significant repair costs. If the water damage is bad, you may also face insurance claims. You might need to temporarily move out and deal with the stress of fixing your home. Taking steps to protect your pipes is, without a doubt, the best and cheapest way to avoid these problems.
Insulating your pipes is very important for protecting your plumbing in winter. It helps avoid expensive damage from freezing. But good insulation is about more than wrapping the pipes. You need to focus on weak spots and choose the right materials.
Identifying At-Risk Pipes in Your Home
Before you start insulating, it is crucial to find the pipes that are most likely to freeze. Focus on these areas to make your work effective. Unheated areas, where pipes go through attics, crawl spaces, basements, and garages, do not get heat from your home. That makes them very likely to freeze. Exterior walls are where plumbing fixtures like sinks and showers on exterior walls often have pipes in uninsulated parts of the wall as well. This increases the chance of freezing.
Finally, under-sink cabinets, where pipes under kitchen and bathroom sinks, particularly those on outside walls, can get very cold. Consider using pipe insulation or a small space heater to keep this space warm.
Materials and Methods for Effective Insulation
Once you find the high-risk pipes, you need to choose the right insulation materials and methods.
Pipe sleeves are foam tubes that are easy to find in hardware stores. They are also simple to use. Just cut the sleeve to the length you need and wrap it around the pipe. Use tape to keep it in place. Electrically powered heat tape that runs along the pipe can also help avoid freezing.
Never use an open flame, like a blow torch or hair dryer, to thaw pipes. This can be very dangerous and harm your plumbing.
Letting Faucets Drip to Prevent Freezing
This easy technique can stop pipes from freezing, especially in freezing temperatures. Letting a small trickle of water drip from your faucets helps, especially if the pipes go through unheated or poorly insulated spaces. This keeps the water moving in the pipe.
It’s much harder to freeze when water moves, even just a little. Moving water stops ice from forming and blocking the pipe completely. It’s a good idea to let both hot and cold water drip. This way, you keep water flowing through both water supply lines.
Some people may think this method wastes water. However, the cost of a few extra gallons of water is much lower than the cost of fixing a broken pipe.
Shutting Off and Draining Outdoor Water Sources
Outdoor faucets and water sources can freeze quickly because they are out in the open. That’s why getting these water systems ready for winter is essential. Before the first frost, disconnect all garden hoses from the outside faucets. This stops water from getting trapped in the hoses, which can freeze. Freezing water can damage both the faucet and the indoor plumbing.
Next, find the shutoff valves for your outside faucets. These are usually inside your house, close to where the pipe goes into the wall. Turn these valves off tightly to stop the water flow to the outside faucets. After the valves are closed, open the outside faucets to let out any leftover water in the pipes. This helps to make sure no water remains to freeze and cause damage.
Protect Your Pipes
It’s essential to get your pipes ready for winter. This helps you avoid expensive issues from frozen and burst pipes. Check your insulation often before winter arrives to allow for a worry-free season. For personal tips or professional assistance on protecting your pipes this winter, contact Capps Plumbing today!
