How to prevent pipes from freezing
Here’s how to prevent your water pipes from freezing when the weather gets colder.
Problem solved, reviewed
Frozen pipes in your home can be a minor inconvenience or a potential disaster. In the best-case scenario, frozen pipes may cause a temporary interruption to your water supply, but it’s no big deal.
But water expands when it turns into ice, and the pressure can cause pipes to crack. If this happens, you may need to call a plumber. And if a crack occurs while you’re out and about, you could end up with thousands of dollars in water damage when the ice melts. There is no doubt that prevention is better than cure.
Watch this video to learn how to prevent pipes from freezing in the winter.
At what temperature do water pipes freeze?
It’s best to start thinking about protecting your pipes before the temperatures drop. However, there is no magic number at which your pipes will freeze. But in general, the risk increases when temperatures drop to about 20 degrees Celsius. Of course, we also take into account the location of the pipe and the amount of insulation around it.
How to prevent water pipes from freezing
The easiest way to prevent water pipes from freezing is to keep the water running. When the mercury drops below 20 degrees, run cold water from your faucet, especially if you won’t be home overnight or for an extended period of time. If you don’t want to turn on every faucet in your home, Mississippi State University’s Extension for Real Life suggests letting water drip from the faucet farthest from your water meter, allowing water to continue flowing throughout your home.
There’s no need to waste that water either. Place a container underneath to collect it for later use. You can add it to your pet’s water bowl, feed it to your plants, use it to hand wash your clothes, and use it to wash your hands and flush the toilet.
In addition to water dripping on your faucet, it also helps regulate the temperature in your home. This includes keeping the thermostat above 55 degrees, leaving interior doors open to maintain an even temperature throughout the home, and opening cabinets under the sink around faucets. If your water line runs through your garage, don’t forget to close the garage door.
Shop top-rated related products:
How long does it take for water pipes to thaw?
Not all frozen pipes will burst. Thawing a pipe is a relatively simple task that takes about 30 minutes, depending on the weather and the location of the blockage.
If you’re doing it yourself, first turn on the faucet to release the pressure. Then, use a hair dryer or space heater to slowly apply heat. Wrapping heat tape around the pipe is also effective. Do not use open flames. Pipes can be damaged and create a fire hazard. Once the water starts flowing again, keep the faucet running for a few minutes to completely remove any ice in the system.
DIY methods can save you money. However, if you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself, it’s helpful to have a local plumber’s number on speed dial.
