10 Ways To Keep Your Pipes From Freezing
Susan Gentry
With temperatures dropping to freezing and beyond, many of us face the challenge of frozen pipes. If you’ve ever dealt with these, you know that it is much easier to prevent them than it is to overcomes them. So here are ten ways to keep your pipes from freezing this winter.
1. Open kitchen & bathroom cabinets to allow warmer air to your circulate pipes
Often times by simply raising the temperature in your base cabinets, you can prevent freezing.
2. Let cold water drip from faucet, as running water through a pipe helps prevent pipes from freezing
It doesn’t have to be a stream, usually a steady drip will do, but, much like a river or stream, running water resists freezing.
3. Don’t turn down your thermostat at night- keep the temp the same for both day & night
Sudden changes in room temperature can push a cold pipe over the edge and make cause it to freeze.
4. Add insulation to attics, basements and crawl spaces
Insulation is the best insurance against freezing of any kind. Make sure your home is as well insulated as it can possibly be.
5. Disconnect , drain and store your garden hose before the first freeze
This is a big one. Leaving your outside hose connected can cause the pipe on the interior of your hose bib to freeze and even burst spilling water all over your basement or crawl space.
6. Keep your garage door closed- this will keep the water supply lines in your garage from freezing
Most homes have water pipes in the walls of their garage. If your garage is unfinished or uninsulated, the temperature difference alone between your living space and your garage can cause freezing. Leaving your garage door open exasperates the issue.
7. Turn off water lines to outside spigots. If on a well- turn off the pump
The best way to protect your outside spigots is to install a shut-off valve on the inside of your home. This will keep the water from reaching the exterior where it is susceptible to freezing.
8. Seal air gaps, cracks and holes in exterior walls with caulk or low expansion spray foam
If you notice cracks in your foundation or exterior brick or siding, you should fill them. There are a variety of products available at your local home center or hardware store. Consult with a professional before applying these products.
9. Turn off main water valve before leaving your home…
But allow your faucets to drain the water inside by turning them on, and let run until emptied. If you’re leaving home for an extended period of time, you should shut off the water to your whole house and then open all the faucets to empty the water lines. This will keep your pipes from freezing or bursting while you’re gone.
10. Apply insulation directly to your pipes
Insulation can vary depending on need- but some popular choices are fiberglass or foam pipe insulation. Some other alternative insulation choices are heat tape, electric cables wrapped on pipe or a reflector heat lamp. These are generally available in hardware and home center stores.
Well, there you go. Hopefully, these tips will keep you warm and dry all winter. If you do happen to have frozen pipes, feel free to contact us for help. American Water and Plumbing offers a full compliment of master plumbing services.