How to Prevent Frozen Pipes in Winter

Frozen pipes re a major concern during the winter, and they can cost thousands of dollars in repairs if not handled properly. What is the best way to handle a frozen pipe? Prevent it from happening in the first place with these tips:

1. Cover all exposed outdoor pipes and faucets. These are often where problems originate because they are the most vulnerable to the elements. Visit your local hardware store and choose a faucet cover that tightens around your spigots.

   
   

2. Leave water dripping from indoor faucets while outdoor temperatures are below freezing. A small trickle of water flowing through your pipes is less likely to freeze than stagnant water sitting in your pipes.

   
   

3. Leave cabinet doors open while outdoor temperatures are below freezing. By doing this, you are allowing the warmer air from inside your home to circulate around your pipes. This can help your pipes maintain a warmer temperature, therefore, preventing them from freezing.

4. Maintain a consistent, warm temperature in your home overnight. Setting your home's thermostat to a temperature of 67 degrees or higher is recommended on nights whenever outdoors temperatures are below freezing. The more heat your pipes have access to, the less likely they are to freeze.

   
   

5. Insulate exposed pipes in attics and crawl spaces. This can be done using pipe insulation or tape found at your local hardware store. A little insulation in those more vulnerable areas can be better than no insulation.

Unfortunately, even when following all of the above steps, it is still possible that you could experience frozen or busted pipes whenever temperatures drop quickly and stay below freezing for an extended period of time. If this happens turn off your main water valve, then try thawing the pipes by applying heat to the frozen area using a hair dryer, space heater, or hot towels, while keeping the faucet connected to the frozen pipe slightly open to allow water to flow as it thaws; if you suspect that the pipe has burst or if you cannot thaw the pipe yourself, call Elite Plumbing as soon as possible.