Freezing temperatures can cause water in your pipes to expand, leading to bursts and significant damage. To avoid costly repairs and ensure your plumbing stays intact through the winter, it’s crucial to take steps to protect your pipes from freezing. Here’s how to prepare your home’s pipes for winter.
1. Insulate Exposed Pipes
Start by identifying pipes that are most at risk of freezing. These are usually located in unheated areas like basements, attics, crawl spaces, garages, or along exterior walls. Once identified, insulate these pipes using foam pipe insulation, fiberglass, or heat tape. Foam pipe insulation is easy to install and will provide sufficient protection for most pipes.
2. Seal Gaps and Cracks Around Pipes
Freezing air can sneak in through small gaps in the walls, floors, or around windows and doors. Seal any cracks and gaps around pipes with caulk or spray foam to keep cold air from reaching them. Pay special attention to areas near outdoor faucets, vents, and where pipes enter the house.
3. Allow Faucets to Drip During Extreme Cold
In particularly cold weather, allowing faucets to drip slightly can prevent water from freezing in the pipes. When water moves, it’s less likely to freeze. Leave the faucets on the farthest ends of your plumbing system slightly open. This will reduce the pressure buildup in the pipes and prevent them from bursting.
4. Keep Cabinet Doors Open
For pipes under sinks, especially those located on exterior walls, open the cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the pipes. This is particularly important during cold spells, as the heat inside your home will help keep these pipes from freezing.
5. Maintain a Consistent Temperature
During the winter, it’s important to keep your home’s temperature consistent. Avoid setting your thermostat lower than 55°F (13°C), even when you’re away. Sudden temperature fluctuations can increase the risk of pipes freezing, especially if there are any drafts or if parts of your home aren’t well insulated.
6. Install Pipe Heating Cables
If you live in an area prone to extreme cold, you may want to consider installing electric heating cables along vulnerable pipes. These cables provide consistent warmth to prevent freezing and are particularly effective in high-risk areas like attics, basements, and crawl spaces. The cables can be turned on when temperatures dip and turned off when it warms up.
7. Disconnect Outdoor Hoses and Drain Faucets
Before the first freeze, disconnect all outdoor hoses from exterior faucets and store them in a shed or garage. This prevents trapped water from freezing and potentially damaging the faucet. Also, if possible, shut off the water supply to outdoor faucets and drain them to avoid damage from freezing.
8. Install Frost-Proof Outdoor Faucets
If you haven’t already, consider installing frost-proof outdoor faucets, which are designed to prevent freezing by keeping the valve mechanism inside the house, away from cold air. These faucets are more durable in colder climates and can be a long-term solution to preventing pipe damage from freezing.
9. Monitor Your Water Bill
A sudden spike in your water bill can be an early warning sign of a frozen pipe that has cracked or burst. Keep an eye on your water usage throughout the winter months, and if you notice an unexpected increase, it’s worth checking your pipes for damage.
10. Know the Signs of a Frozen Pipe
If you turn on a faucet and no water comes out, or if the water flow is weak, it could be a sign of a frozen pipe. If you suspect a pipe has frozen, act quickly. Turn off the water supply and apply heat to the frozen area using a hairdryer, space heater, or heat lamp. Never use an open flame to thaw pipes, as this can lead to fire damage. If you’re unable to thaw the pipe or if you notice a burst, call a plumber immediately.
By taking these steps to winterize your pipes, you’ll reduce the risk of freezing and potential damage. Protecting your plumbing now will save you time, money, and stress when the cold weather hits.
