Tips on How to Prevent Frozen Pipes
Frozen pipes happen when liquid expands as it freezes, forcing the ice crystals in the water out of the pipe and placing pressure on any weaker spots in a metal or plastic pipe. The damage may be small at first or lead to a sudden burst depending on how much pressure is caused by expansion of the liquid as it freezes.
Tips on How to Prevent Frozen Pipes
- Insulate Pipes
Use pipe insulation to protect pipes from freezing. Pipe insulation comes in many forms, such as foam,
plastic or paper and usually comes on rolls or tubes that can be cut to fit different lengths of pipe. It is a good
idea for pipe insulation to be applied both above and below ground. When applied to the pipes directly, use a
high R-value tube and wrap it around your outdoor pipes. - Use Heating Tape
Heating tape is a thin, flexible metallic strip with small resistors at intervals along its length. Copper heat
tape produces heat from electricity and is easy to install. The most important factor in using heating tape is
knowing where the coldest point in the pipes will be so that you can place the heating tape there. Heating
tape usually comes in various lengths and widths, so you can cut it to length and fit it around your pipes. - Open Faucets
If you notice that the water in your pipes is freezing, open the faucets and allow the water to drain. This will
help prevent pipes from freezing, but won’t help much if water has already frozen in the pipes. Frozen water
in the pipes can be thawed with a hair dryer set on high heat. Be careful to keep the dryer moving as it can
cause damage if left still on one spot for too long. - Insulate Your Water Heater
A water heater that is sitting in an unheated garage or basement is at risk of freezing in cold weather. If you
have a water heater, it is best to insulate it so that the heat stays inside. A good way to do this is by placing
foil-backed bubble wrap or foil on the outside of the water heater. Make sure that there are no holes in the
insulation and make sure that it is secure and not loose as this could cause fires as well as allow heat to
escape. - Seal Cracks and Openings
If you live in an old home and you have not insulated pipes in the basement, you will want to check your
outside plumbing. Make sure that there are no cracks or open ended pipes that could allow air to enter. If
there are any cracks, use a hydraulic sealant or caulk to seal them. - Call a Professional Plumber If Pipes Are Frozen
If you have frozen pipes, do not attempt to thaw the pipes yourself. Always call a professional plumber who
is properly trained with the tools to handle frozen and burst pipes. A professional plumber can safely remove
water from your property that is resulting from any burst pipes and direct it to safe locations away from your
house or building.
Conclusion
Frozen pipes can cause large amounts of damage to your home or building. It is important to know the signs
that pipes may be frozen, as well as how to prevent the problem from occurring in the first place.