6 Ways to Prevent Frozen Pipes This Winter

2/25/2020 (Permalink)

It is also crucial to seal all cracks and gaps along your foundation

Use The Following To Prevent That Big Freeze

With the winter months well underway, it is necessary to talk about home maintenance and pipe freeze prevention. One of the biggest threats to a house during the cold season is a frozen or burst pipe. Therefore, use the following six tools and tips to prevent that big freeze.

• Insulation
• Heat
• Heat Tape
• Sealant
• Drips
• Cabinet doors
  

Insulation

The first method to avoid frozen pipes is to use additional insulation around the supply lines. You want to pay particular attention to plumbing that runs along the exterior of the building, or that is exposed in basements and crawlspaces because these are most at risk to temperature fluctuations.

Heat

Next, for the supply lines inside the home, consider using space heaters aimed directly at the pipes. For example, if you know there are water lines inside of an external wall, try pointing a heater at that wall.

Heat Tape

The next line of defense in pipe freeze prevention is heat tape. There are several varieties of this type of tape, but it all works the same way, by using an electric current to keep the pipe from freezing.

Sealant

It is also crucial to seal all cracks and gaps along your foundation or supply line entry points. While some crack may seem insignificant, they may just be wide enough to cause temperature shifts and create problems for your plumbing.

Drips

When pipes freeze, they build pressure, which eventually leads to a burst pipe. An excellent way to prevent that buildup of pressure is to allow your faucets to drip. You don't have to let your faucets drip all winter, but when Mount Prospect, IL, is going to experience especially frigid temperatures, then it is a good idea.

Cabinet Doors

Last, on unusually cold nights, open the cabinet doors under sinks to allow the heat to circulate in. You can also place a heater aimed under the sink to keep the space warm.
All of the above pipe freeze prevention tips are helpful, but a water mitigation expert might be able to offer more specific advice. In any case, do what you can to stay warm and prevent disaster.