6 Ways To Prepare Your Home's Plumbing For Cooler Weather

The winter months bring frigid temperatures that can be downright brutal on your plumbing system. A common problem is frozen pipes. When the water in your pipes freezes, you do not have access to clean water for cooking, bathing, cleaning, and more until the pipes thaw. In addition, water expands when it freezes, and this expansion creates pressure inside the pipes. This can lead to ruptured pipes, resulting in repair bills and significant water damage inside your home. What can you do to protect your pipes from freezing temperatures this winter?

Table of Contents

1. Insulate Your Pipes

Pipes that are exposed directly to outdoor air are most susceptible to freezing when temperatures plummet. These pipes and spigots should be wrapped before the first freeze of the year. Insulation can be something as simple as old rags. Foam protectors are also available at local home improvement stores.

2. Apply Heat Tape

Heat tape is actually a heated cable, and it is applied along the length of exposed pipes. These include your home’s pipes outdoors and in crawl spaces. The tape or cable is warmed via electricity, so it needs a power source to work.

3. Remove Water Hoses

Water hoses often have water in them. Just as water in the pipes expands when frozen, the water in hoses expands and can cause leaks and ruptures. The frozen water also exerts pressure on the pipes deeper inside your home. In some cases, these are slow leaks that can lead to mold damage before they are eventually discovered and repaired by a plumbing company.

4. Seal Holes and Cracks

In some cases, a crack or hole surrounds the space where an outdoor spigot runs into the home. These holes and cracks allow the frigid outdoor air to enter your walls more easily. This decreases the temperature around the interior pipes, making them more likely to freeze and crack. You should also walk the exterior perimeter of your home to identify and seal other cracks that would let freezing air into your home.

5. Let Your Facets Drip

Stagnant water freezes more easily than flowing water. The water in your pipes stands still when you are not actively running your faucets and using water in other ways. By letting your faucets drip when the temperature drops below the freezing point, the water can flow inside the pipes.

6. Set Your Thermostat

If you are in the habit of adjusting your thermostat lower when you are out of the house or sleeping, you may be putting your pipes at a greater risk of rupturing. This is because the warmth from inside the home increases the temperature inside your walls where the pipes run. When your indoor temperature decreases, your pipes are exposed to cooler temperatures. Throughout the winter, maintain your thermostat at a warm temperature throughout the day and nighttime hours.