A frozen or burst pipe can really throw a wrench into your winter plans. The last thing you want is to be patching leaks on holidays or redirecting a waterfall on New Year’s. But, as temperatures drop, your plumbing system could freeze over and crack, leading to some serious and potentially costly problems.
So, when it’s so cold out that you could heat your house by opening up your fridge, you know it’s time to protect your plumbing! Here are some tips for keeping your pipes in good shape through freezing temperatures this winter:
- Wrap pipes with insulating materials. Sweaters keep us warm, and thankfully they can be pretty effective for pipes too! Wrapping any exposed pipes in insulating materials, such as heating tape or mineral wool, can help you keep your pipes from freezing and breaking.
- Seal leaks around your home. A lot of homes have some drafty areas. But, if your home has a lot of cold air blowing near your plumbing system, it could become an issue. Sealing off any air leaks around dryer vents, pipes, or electrical wiring can keep your pipes from freezing.
- Shut off and drain water from outdoor plumbing. Your outdoor pipes are most at risk of freezing and breaking. Since most of us don’t use our outdoor spigots during winter, it’s usually best to shut off water to your outdoor plumbing when cold weather hits. We also recommend draining the pipes and storing your garden hoses indoors.
- Keep your thermostat the same temperature day and night. A lot of people are in the habit of shutting off their thermostat for the night – after all, you’ll be cozy and wrapped in blankets anyway! But, temperatures are lowest at night, and a particularly cold night is all it would take to freeze your pipes.
- Open cabinet doors under sinks and near exterior walls. The heat inside of your home can seep into your exterior walls, keeping your pipes nice and toasty. Opening up cabinet doors near exterior walls can facilitate the transfer of warmth from your home to your plumbing system.
- Keep garage doors closed as much as possible. The more you keep your garage doors open, the colder your home – and plumbing system – can become. Keeping your garage doors closed can protect the pipes near that part of your house.
- Thaw frozen pipes with warm water or hair dryers. If worse comes to worst and you notice a pipe is frozen solid, you’ll want to thaw it out quickly. Warm water or the heat from a hairdryer will likely do the trick. It’s important to remember that this should only be used as a last-resort tactic, and you should never use an open flame to thaw out a frozen pipe.
- Call for help immediately if you run into problems. If you wake up to a burst pipe or a flooded basement, it’s important to call for immediate help. An experienced plumber can help fix the leak quickly and efficiently while providing some guidance on how to prevent future plumbing problems.
Dependable Plumbers in the Pacific Northwest
Winter plumbing problems can be intimidating, not to mention costly without the right attention. However, you’re not alone! The expert technicians at D & F Plumbing in Vancouver WA and Portland OR are committed to helping you keep your plumbing system in great condition. Whether you are facing broken pipes or just want help with winterizing your plumbing, we’ve got you covered! Just give us a call today to get started!
The post Oh Snap! Don’t Let a Frozen Pipe Ruin Your Winter appeared first on D & F Plumbing - Journeyman Plumbing Contractors and Drain Cleaning Services in Portland OR and Vancouver WA.