Pipe Protection in Cold Weather
Cold weather can cause many problems with your pipes. One of the worst is a burst pipe resulting from freezing water that expands within your plumbing system. You can do things to prevent this from happening. You should be aware of a few methods for protecting your pipes in cold weather.
- Insulating sleeves: Your first line of defense in cold weather is an insulating sleeve. You can wrap these sleeves around your pipes. The sleeves help to keep cold weather away from the water in the pipes. They can stop the pipes from freezing on very cold days. These are readily available and simple to install. Any pipes in your home that are in unheated areas like an attic or that are near exterior walls should be wrapped in an insulating sleeve.
- Heating systems: If you have experienced problems with frozen pipes in the past, then it might be time to install a special heating system in your house. There are several types of these systems available today. Some actually heat the pipes directly. Others keep warm water circulating through your pipes when temperatures drop. Heating systems for you pipes can prevent problems with freezing during the winter.
- Drain hoses and irrigation lines: You need to drain any garden hoses and irrigation lines outside of your home. Disconnect them completely. The reason is that water left inside of hoses and irrigation lines can freeze and start to work back into your plumbing system. This can affect your water pressure and could cause damage.
- Find and seal holes: look at the exterior walls around your pipes and under your sinks. You want to look for small holes or gaps in the walls. These gaps can let in enough cold air to freeze your pipes. Seal any holes that you find. Add extra insulation if possible. Sealing these holes will reduce the chance of frozen pipes.
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