How to Prevent Household Plumbing from Freezing

A frozen water pipe means more than not being able to run water; it can also cause a pipe to burst. Frozen ice in a pipe expands and exerts tremendous pressure that ultimately ruptures the pipe wall. A broken pipe can spill out hundreds of gallons of water per hour into your home, causing further problems — including mold damage. Even if you have not experienced this problem before, a long cold snap with unusually low temperatures can change that. Be prepared for a cold winter by using the following tips.

Properly Insulate Pipes Against the Cold

Insulate pipes in areas exposed to the cold, such as crawl spaces, basement, garage and attic. Two common types of insulation are pipe wrap and tubular sleeve. Pipe wrap is handy for insulating short lengths of pipe but tubular sleeve is best for rapidly insulating longer lengths of pipe. Close off gaps that allow cold air into areas with piping. Vents and electrical conduits that go through the wall to the outside must be sealed with caulk or insulation where they meet the wall.

Shut Off Water to Outdoor Faucets

Close off water to exterior faucets using an indoor valve. Hoses should be disconnected from faucets and put away. Drain water from the faucet piping by turning on the outdoor faucet with the interior valve closed off.

Keep Doors Closed in Areas with Exposed Pipes

Never leave your garage or basement doors open in extreme cold. This wastes heat and exposes any piping to the cold.

Allow Water to Drip from Faucets

Slow moving water inhibits freezing. If you have pipes that are exposed to cold temperatures or if there is a power outage that prevents you from heating your home, turn on your faucets so that water drips slowly out.

Open Cabinet Doors

Plumbing inside bathroom and kitchen cabinets can be kept from freezing by leaving your cabinet doors open to allow warm household air inside. Remove anything harmful to young children.

Don't Set Your Thermostat Too Low

Never allow your home to get colder than 55 degrees Fahrenheit. This prevents cold spots and piping inside your walls from dropping below freezing.

If a pipe ruptures, close the main water shutoff valve and turn on faucets into sinks and bathtubs to rapidly drain out the remaining water in the piping. Call a plumber to repair the pipe. Make sure you know in advance where the main shut off valve is located and how to close it off. By using the above suggestions, frozen pipes and water damage are unlikely to affect your home.

Are you safe from winter's worst? Call Ed Weeren Insurance Agency at (512) 454-5266 for more information on Austin home insurance.

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