Prevent Freezing Pipes in the Winter
One of the greatest threats to your home in the wintertime is pipes that freeze solid. The result is that when they thaw out the expanding force will rupture the pipes and flood your home. Prevent freezing pipes in the winter to protect the property value of your home as well as saving hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in repairs.
What follows are just a few tips to prevent freezing pipes which are simple to do, yet can save you a lot of money in terms of avoiding repair expenses.
Five Tips to Prevent Freezing Pipes
The three main causes of pipes freezing is low thermostats, poor insulation and a quick drop in the temperature. You will need to prepare for the coming cold by taking these steps to protecting your pipes.
Insulate
An exposed pipe is the most susceptible to freeze, so be sure that you insulate them properly and even in locations such as the attic where freezing is rather uncommon. The more insulation that wraps the pipes, the better you can prevent them from freezing.
Seal Leaks
You’ll want to properly seal up your home from leaks that allow the cold air to come in. This is especially true when it comes to your pipes. Find any air leaks which may be found around dryer vents or electrical wiring that enters your home. By sealing up any cold air leaks, you can prevent a quick burst of cold from getting to your pipes.
Shut off Valve to Outdoor Faucets
If you have an indoor valve that can shut off the water to your outdoor faucet, do so before the cold can hits so that there is no water in the pipe to freeze. You may have to have one installed, but the price may well be worth it if you have had to repair such pipes before.
Heat Tape
You can use this to wrap your pipes and keep them from freezing. This is generally something that may need professional installation or you can do it on your own if you follow the instructions. Be sure to use approved products and make sure the pipes are well wrapped for maximum protection.
Keep the Pipes Running
This is a rather old trick that is often spoken about since running water cannot freeze. Be sure to keep a trickle of water running from all of your indoor faucets so that they will not freeze up totally. In this manner, you can keep the water running and your pipes from totally freezing which should save them from any permanent damage.
Finally, locate where the pipes come into your home and be sure that they are well insulated. If you can find a way to independently heat this area and combine it with keeping the faucets on, you can keep the pipes from freezing in all parts of your home. Preventing freezing pipes can save you a considerable amount of money and keep your faucets and toilet running smoothly even in the coldest of winter conditions.
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