Winter is now upon us. It’s the season for family, warm fires, snowfalls, and frozen pipes. Unfortunately, frozen pipes are a costly crisis for unprepared Wake County families each winter. Golden Rule Plumbing Services wants to share with you some simple suggestions on how to keep pipes from freezing in the winter.
Frigid Weather and Frozen Pipes
Did you know that your pipes have a hard time surviving sub-zero weather without help? It’s true. The pipes in your home need the warmth from your heating system to escape the cold winter months. Unprotected pipes can freeze and burst in super-chilled conditions, causing a significant flood.
Water pipes that are outside or along exposed walls are in particular danger of freezing. The danger zone includes unheated areas such as your basement or attic and connections to an irrigation system, cistern, or well. If the main water supply line is above ground before it comes into the home, it could also be in danger.
Fortunately, there are no-nonsense steps that you can perform to avoid a plumbing disaster. Read on for tips on how to keep pipes from freezing during our coldest months.
Here’s How to Keep Pipes from Freezing in the Winter
Winter is hard enough without fearing that your pipes will freeze every time icy weather strikes. The surest way to avoid worrying is to prepare in advance to protect the plumbing pipes throughout your home. learning How to Keep Pipes from Freezing in the Winter is important.
Identify Unprotected Pipes
We suggest that you spend some time examining your plumbing system to see if you have pipes that might freeze. Most frozen pipe incidents begin in unheated areas of your home. However, Consumer Reports notes that, in extreme cold weather conditions, any pipe in your home is in danger.
Insulate Any Vulnerable Pipes
After you identify the parts of your plumbing system that are vulnerable, you need to insulate them before the freezing temperatures hit. The type of insulating material that you pick depends on where you live, how cold it gets, and the exposure of your pipes. Just another tip on How to Keep Pipes from Freezing in the Winter.
The simplest way to insulate your pipes is to wrap them with pages from a newspaper. Indeed, newspapers are a great solution for your plumbing in the attic, basement, and any other areas that receive some heat.
For those pipes regularly exposed to the cold, though, it is best to use a product specifically designed for plumbing. Simple foam tubing is easy to put around your pipes and will give them a good layer of protection. This is another tip on How to Keep Pipes from Freezing in the Winter.
You may also choose to go with heated tape to ensure your pipes will not freeze in colder areas. Make sure that you use heat tape that is explicitly manufactured for piping to eliminate a potential fire hazard.
Contact Us
Now that you know how to keep pipes from freezing in the winter, you can take action. Use our tips to safeguard your home from an indoor flood emergency. Also, don’t be shy about calling your plumber for advice on how to protect your pipes during a freeze. We have plenty of years of experience that we’re happy to share.
Contact us at Golden Rule Plumbing Services for more tips on how to keep pipes from freezing in the winter.
