Preventing Frozen Pipes: Essential Winter Plumbing Tips

Winter is a time for cozy fires and hot cocoa, but it’s also a season that can wreak havoc on your plumbing system. Frozen pipes are one of the most common and potentially destructive plumbing issues that homeowners face during the colder months. When water inside the pipes freezes, it expands, increasing the risk of the pipes bursting. The damage from a burst pipe can be costly, not to mention the inconvenience of dealing with water damage during the coldest months of the year.

Luckily, with the right preventative measures, you can protect your plumbing system from freezing temperatures and avoid the stress of frozen pipes. In this article, we’ll go over essential winter plumbing tips to help keep your home safe and warm all season long.

For more complex tasks or if you suspect a problem with your pipes, don’t hesitate to contact professionals. Ares Plumbing provides expert services to ensure your plumbing is well-protected throughout the winter, giving you peace of mind when the temperatures drop.

1. Insulate Your Pipes

One of the most effective ways to prevent frozen pipes is by insulating them. Exposed pipes in unheated areas like attics, basements, garages, and crawl spaces are especially vulnerable to freezing. Insulation helps keep the cold air away from your pipes, maintaining a more consistent internal temperature.

What You Need to Do:

• Install Foam Pipe Insulation: Foam insulation is a cost-effective and easy-to-install solution that protects your pipes from freezing temperatures. You can buy foam pipe covers at most hardware stores and slip them over your exposed pipes.
• Consider Electric Heat Tape: For areas with extremely low temperatures, electric heat tape or heat cables wrapped around the pipes can provide extra protection by actively warming them.

Insulating your pipes is one of the simplest and most efficient ways to ensure they don’t freeze, especially if your home is in a region that experiences harsh winters.

2. Seal Leaks and Drafts

Even a small draft can be enough to freeze your pipes, especially if they are located in unheated areas of your home. Cold air entering through gaps or cracks can lower the temperature around the pipes, increasing the likelihood of freezing.

How to Protect Against Drafts:

• Seal Cracks and Gaps: Use caulk or expanding foam to seal any cracks or gaps around windows, doors, and your home’s foundation where cold air can seep in. Pay close attention to areas near plumbing fixtures.
• Cover Ventilation Points: While it’s important for your home to have proper ventilation, make sure to cover any unnecessary vents or holes in exterior walls during the winter months to prevent cold drafts from reaching your pipes.

By eliminating drafts, you’re not only protecting your pipes from freezing but also making your home more energy-efficient, which helps reduce heating costs.

3. Keep the Heat On

One of the simplest yet most effective ways to prevent pipes from freezing is to keep your home warm, even when you’re away. Many homeowners turn the heat down when they leave for vacation, which increases the risk of frozen pipes.

What You Should Do:

• Keep the Thermostat at 55°F (13°C) or Higher: Even if you're leaving your home for an extended period, it's essential to keep the temperature inside above freezing. This prevents the pipes inside the walls from freezing, especially in colder climates.
• Open Cabinet Doors: For pipes located under sinks or in cabinets, especially in kitchens and bathrooms, opening the doors allows warm air to circulate around the pipes, helping to keep them warm.

Keeping your home warm during winter is crucial in protecting the entire plumbing system. It’s an easy way to prevent frozen pipes, even when temperatures plummet outside.

4. Let Faucets Drip During Cold Snaps

When temperatures drop significantly, letting your faucets drip slightly can prevent water from freezing inside the pipes. Moving water is less likely to freeze than still water, so even a small trickle can help keep your pipes from freezing.

How to Use This Tip:

• Let Both Hot and Cold Water Drip: This is especially important for faucets connected to pipes that run along exterior walls or in unheated spaces.
• Target Vulnerable Pipes: Focus on the faucets connected to pipes that are most at risk of freezing, such as those in basements, attics, or along exterior walls. A slow, consistent drip is all you need to relieve pressure inside the pipes and prevent freezing.

While it may seem wasteful, the cost of letting a faucet drip is minimal compared to the expense of repairing a burst pipe and dealing with potential water damage.

5. Disconnect Outdoor Hoses and Shut Off External Water Sources

Outdoor faucets and hoses are particularly susceptible to freezing and can cause significant problems if not winterized properly. Water left in hoses or exterior faucets can freeze, expand, and cause the connected pipes inside your home to burst.

Winterize Your Outdoor Plumbing:

• Disconnect and Drain Hoses: Before the first freeze, disconnect all garden hoses from outdoor faucets. Make sure to drain them completely to prevent any water from freezing and causing damage.
• Shut Off Exterior Water Lines: If your home has a shut-off valve for exterior water sources, turn it off for the winter. Once the valve is closed, drain any remaining water from the exterior faucets to ensure the lines are empty.

Properly winterizing your outdoor faucets and water lines can help prevent unnecessary damage to your plumbing system during the winter months.

6. Monitor Your Water Pressure

A sudden drop in water pressure during the winter months is often a sign that your pipes are beginning to freeze. Catching this early can save you from dealing with a full-blown pipe burst.

What to Watch For:

• Regularly Check Water Pressure: Monitor your faucets regularly, especially during cold spells, to ensure that water is flowing smoothly. If you notice reduced flow, it may indicate that ice is forming inside the pipes.
• Take Immediate Action: If you notice any changes in water pressure, open faucets to allow water to flow, and apply heat to exposed pipes using a hair dryer or space heater. Avoid using open flames to thaw pipes, as this can cause further damage.

Keeping an eye on your water pressure during cold weather can help you identify potential issues early and prevent more significant problems down the line.

7. Know Where Your Main Water Shut-Off Valve Is Located

In the unfortunate event that a pipe does freeze and burst, knowing where your home’s main water shut-off valve is located is critical. Being able to turn off the water quickly can prevent flooding and minimize damage to your home.

What You Should Do:

• Locate the Main Shut-Off Valve: Make sure you and everyone in your household knows the location of the main water shut-off valve. In most homes, it’s located near where the water line enters the house, often in the basement or utility room.
• Test the Valve: Ensure that the valve works properly before winter sets in, so you’ll be prepared in case of an emergency.

By taking these steps, you can act quickly in the event of a pipe burst and save your home from extensive water damage.

Conclusion

Winter poses a serious threat to your home’s plumbing system, but with proper preparation and attention to detail, you can prevent the costly and stressful consequences of frozen pipes. From insulating exposed pipes to keeping your home warm and addressing any signs of trouble early, these winter plumbing tips are essential for keeping your system in top shape during the colder months.