Top 4 Cautions - How to Prevent Your Pipes from Freezing

The risk of your home’s pipes or plumbing system getting frozen and getting damaged skyrockets during extremely cold conditions. Burst pipes are one of the most common causes of property damage in frigid weather. Both exterior and interior pipes need proper care and timely maintenance, especially those going through garages, attics, and basements with unheated conditions.

If you want to prevent your home’s plumbing from freezing then read this guide and implement some basic steps to avoid having frozen pipe issues. This guide will also help the readers to understand the reasons for pipe freezing and how to get rid of it properly. So, let’s start reading.  

Steps to Follow:

The following are some important steps you need to apply to prevent your pipes from freezing:

   1. Set Thermostat Correctly:

To start off, set the temperature of your thermostat to appropriate room temperature and make sure the heat is traveling through to all areas/cabinets where pipes are housed. If the temperature outside is extremely cold and your heating is set too low, then your plumbing system can get damaged. Therefore, always set thermostat correctly before going out of home or even going to your bed.

Sometimes people tend to ignore the temperature inside their house when they leave, and they have to pay a heavy price in the form of damage & costly maintenance and repair.

    2. Replace Old Pipes:

If your existing plumbing system is old, then it's time for an upgrade.

Usually, old pipes are easily damaged and are more likely to burst quickly in the bitter cold. Timely replacement of these old pipes can help you avoid heavy maintenance costs.

Replace old pipes with new and high-quality pipes. Remember, a quality plumbing system can endure bitter weather and other plumbing hazards.

      Pro tip:

Use only quality materials, especially flexible plumbing pipes that can withstand the extra pressure created by the ice during cold seasons.

Frozen pipe damage happens due to water expansion in the pipes, also, weak or non-flexible material along with lack of heating options around the pipe area. Installing a plumbing system with the help of reliable and professional plumbers ensures the use of best materials and timely replacement of pipes.

   3. Turn on the Faucet:

Simply turning on the faucet and heating the frozen pipes will help the ice start melting. This will allow the water to start running through the pipe as cold as it is and start melting the ice in the pipes.

An electric heating pad, hair dryer or wrapping a towel soaked in hot water around the pipes is a great way to deal with the frozen pipes. So, turn on the faucet to get rid of the frozen pipe issue. 

       4. Thicker Insulation:  

Inadequate insulation or malfunctioning of the thermostat can also cause pipes to freeze. Check the thermostat and ensure that it is working fine. You should also examine the insulation to see if it is adequate.

The use of fiberglass insulation is a great way to protect your plumbing system, especially pipes running through the basement, attics and crawl spaces. Adding appropriate or thicker insulation can ensure freeze-proof pipes. Also, make sure that you are using quality insulation material.  

Conclusion:

Above cautions and tips are best for preventing your pipes from freezing. However, If you are not an expert in dealing with plumbing issues, then taking the help of a reliable and trusted plumbing company can solve all of these issues. Such companies usually have access to qualified and experienced technicians who have years of experience in dealing with common and complex plumbing issues including clogged drains, slow drainage systems and fixing leaky pipes, etc.