How to Prevent Pipe Burst During Cold Weather

Plumbing Issues In the Winter

In the winter, many homeowners experience issues with their plumbing system. During this time of year, pipes freeze and burst. It can lead to serious damage. Onto the million dollar question, you’re probably wondering why pipes burst in the winter. There is a reason for it. It’s because water freezes inside of them. Due to the fact that frozen water takes up more space than liquid does, it creates a blockage in the pipe. It increases pressure inside your water lines. Over a long period of time, a pipe cracks or bursts. 

    Protect the Coldest Parts of Your House

If your basement, attic, crawl space, exterior walls or garage, are freezing cold, it’s because these are the coldest parts of your home. So, pipes located in these areas can become particularly vulnerable to a freezing temperature. Whether your home or business has broken pipes, it’s important to get the right help. Just as an additional reminder, outdoor plumbing systems can become negatively affected by the cold, similar to indoor plumbing systems. Before the temperature drop, you should call a specialist to make sure your plumbing system works efficiently in the winter.

                                                   Types of Pipes Most at Risk

Since you’re now familiarized with the reason plumbing lines burst in colder weather, let’s discuss the various types of pipes that are most at risk. Typically installed outside, outdoor hose bibs are in danger of bursting due to direct exposure to a frigid temperature. Since attics and basements are considered colder parts of the house, these areas are at risk for bursted pipes. Considering how garages are poorly insulated, it makes this area vulnerable to bursting pipes. One other part of the house that is at risk of bursted pipes in the water are crawl spaces. Colder air may flow into vents, cracks, or gaps. Due to the inability to retain heat, poorly insulated walls allow freezing temperatures to negatively impact nearby pipes easily.

          Warning Signs of Frozen Pipes

For this next part, you’re going to learn about the warning signs of frozen pipes. With ice blocking the normal flow of water, it reduces water pressure. It’s a sign that your pipes are frozen. One other indicator is frost on pipes. In frigid weather, pipes become extremely cold. It causes the water inside of it to freeze. Moisture in the air creates frost on the pipes. Ice forms outside of the pipes, causing them to turn frosty. Strange odor from drains is another sign your pipes have frozen. These odors may come from food waste, sewage, or trapped debris. Noticing unusual sounds when you turn on the faucet is another red flag - this could mean your pipes are frozen. If you hear banging, whistling, gurgling, or rattling noises, it’s definitely time to call a plumber.

    Protecting Your Home by Insulating Pipes

Now that you know the warning signs for frozen pipes, let’s go over the benefits of insulating your pipes to protect the  home. During this process, you’re going to cover your pipes with protective material to keep them warm. Insulating your pipes reduces exposure to frigid temperatures. There are a few different types of pipe insulation. One option is to use foam pipe sleeves. With these soft foam coverings, you’re going to wrap them around the water pipes to shield them from frosty temperatures. Another option are heat tape and insulating cables. Designed to keep pipes warm during the winters, it helps prevent them from becoming frosty. An additional option is fiberglass insulation. Slowing down heat loss and exposure to freezing temperatures, fiberglass insulation keeps your property nice and warm. 

              Which Areas to Prioritize While Shutting Off Pipes

While preventing pipes from bursting in chilly weather, it’s necessary to know which areas to prioritize as well. For many homeowners, important water lines happen to be in the basement, making it crucial to protect this area from colder temperatures. Moreover, for crawl spaces, it’s one of the least insulated parts of the property. For that reason, this area becomes frigid easily. With pipes located near or inside exterior-facing walls, this part of the home happens to be vulnerable to cold temperatures. Losing heat quickly, attics and garages are vulnerable to frozen pipes due to the fact they’re not fully heated. Last but not least - attics and garages. Since garages and attics are not typically fully heated and are periodically exposed to outdoor air, pipes in these areas are particularly vulnerable to freezing temperatures. 

                Ensure That Your Home Temperature is Consistent

One additional strategy to prevent pipes from bursting is to keep the indoor temperature in your property the same. It lowers the risk of frozen pipes in harsh winter weather. By doing this, it helps prevent water pipes from being exposed to colder temperatures. Experts recommend keeping your thermostat set at a minimum of fifty five degrees fahrenheit, even when you’re not at home. It’s important to not lower your heat overnight too much. Moreover, it’s risky to lower your heat too much overnight since indoor temperatures may plummet enough for pipes to freeze. 

                                             Prevent Pipe Issues While Traveling

It’s also important to prevent problems with your pipes while traveling. While you’re going on a trip, your house can become extremely cold if you don’t keep the heat on, causing your pipes to freeze if the temperature drops. While the main parts of the home might not be as vulnerable to the cold, basements, attics, crawl spaces, and exterior-facing walls definitely need to be looked out for. Once you come back from your trip, these areas are going to be nice and toasty. Instead of shivering in the freezing house, you and your family can kick back and relax.

                                          Keep Your Interior Doors and Cabinets Open

Stop your pipes from becoming frozen by keeping interior doors and cabinets open. It improves warm air circulation around plumbing. In other words, keeping doors inside the home open helps let the warm air in. This is especially necessary for parts of the house where warm air normally doesn’t reach, such as under-sink cabinets, plumbing closets, spaces near exterior walls, and areas around uncovered pipes. What’s more is cabinets under sinks often contain water pipes, making it necessary to ensure proper air circulation so these parts of the home stay warm. 

                Protect Outdoor Plumbing Fixtures From Cold Temperatures

Outdoor plumbing fixtures need to be protected from cold temperatures. Begin by disconnecting the garden hose. It’s an effective way to stop trapped water from freezing. When you disconnect the garden hose, it prevents water from becoming trapped inside. Within the pipes, pressure can build when frozen water gets stuck in it. With that in mind, disconnecting the hose helps stop water from being jammed inside the hose and outdoor faucet, lowering the chances of freezing. By doing this, less water is going to freeze and cause damage. Although pipes might seem large, there isn’t as much space inside of them as you think. It’s definitely a smart idea to ensure your outdoor plumbing fixtures are winter ready to lower the chances of your pipes becoming frozen and avoiding costly damage. 

  Shut Off Outdoor Water Supply Lines

Trying to protect your outdoor plumbing fixtures is a big responsibility, and the list of what to do goes on and on. With this in consideration, you also need to shut off outdoor water supply lines. For this particular task, you will drain the sprinkler systems and outdoor faucet. It minimizes the amounts of water remaining in outdoor plumbing fixtures. Draining the water is the best way to get rid of it and make sure it’s gone. There’s one other way to protect your home properly - it’s to install faucet covers to add a layer of insulation during extreme cold. Covering it with protective materials creates a barrier from frigid temperatures. 

                                    Let Faucets Drip In Cold Weather

Considering how much you know about preventing pipes from bursting in the winter, it might seem like that’s everything there is to learn - quite the contrary! Let’s start with the first one. In ice cold weather, let faucets drip. Water is less likely to freeze if it’s moving. Faucets connected to exposed pipes and sinks located against exterior walls should drip. While water flows through the pipes, forming ice and creating a blockage becomes increasingly difficult. 

        Seal Drafts and Cold Air Leaks

In order to prevent pipes from freezing in cold temperatures, it’s important to seal drafts and cold air leaks. Common parts of the home where cold enters include windows, doors, foundation cracks, and utility openings. Protect these areas with helpful weather-proofing tips. For starters, you can never go wrong with caulking. It’s a protective material to apply around windows, door frames, baseboards, utility pipe openings, bathtubs, and sinks. This method prevents cold air from going into the home through small openings. 

                         Use Weather Stripping to Prevent Bursted Pipes

Ready to learn another secret to preventing pipes from bursting? There’s always weather stripping. This strategy shuts gaps around doors, windows, attic hatches, and other openings, which prevents cold air from entering the home. For moving parts, such as a window or a door, it’s important to seal cracks and gaps since these areas of the home are more vulnerable to freezing temperatures. Just as a rule of thumb, any part of the house that can open (like a window or door) is susceptible to the cold. 

                           Popular Materials For Weather Stripping

Some of the most popular materials for weather stripping include foam tubes, rubber seals, vinyl strips, and door sweeps. For the first option, place foam tubes around doors and window frames. One other option is rubber seals. These are adjustable strips made of rubber. When it comes to the installment process, you’re going to stick them on doors, windows, and garage doors. Moreover, you will install them on any additional openings to make an airtight seal. This helps retain heat and stops cold air from flowing into the home.

          Use Vinyl Strips to Prevent Pipes From Bursting

While you’re on the hunt for techniques to prevent pipes from bursting, the search continues. One reliable choice is to use vinyl strips. Install these elastic materials around doors, windows, attic hatches, and other openings to close off gaps and prevent drafts. With this particular method, it ensures opens are sealed as tightly as possible. Benefits of vinyl strips include prevention of cold air in the home, reduced heat loss, improved energy efficiency, and maintaining more consistent indoor temperatures. 

                            Using Door Sweeps Prevents Frozen Pipes

Try using door sweeps as a way to stop pipes from bursting. These products attach to the bottom edge of a door. Designed to close the gap between the door and floor, this product reduces heat loss. It stops warm air from escaping out of a door. If you don’t have a door sweep at home, frigid air can flow into tiny cracks under the door. The way it works is that it covers the gap underneath doors. This barrier stops dust, dirt, and debris from flowing into the home. This barrier helps prevent dust, dirt, and other debris from entering the home. It acts as a shield, keeping your house nice and clean.

          Apply Spray Foam Insulation For Weather Stripping

Spray foam insulation is another form of weather stripping. This is a liquid product that was created to fill gaps and cracks where frigid air can flow through. Once you apply it, the foam will expand and harden. It creates a protective barrier. This material is often applied to pipes, exterior walls, attics, crawl spaces, utility openings, windows, and doors. Spray foam insulation seals air leaks by covering gaps, cracks, and openings where air may enter the home. Designed to stop warm air from escaping, spray foam insulation reduces heat loss as well.

                               Pipe Protection Results in Low Energy Costs

It’s also important to realize pipe protection results in lower energy costs. Protecting pipes from freezing helps people prevent expensive repairs and water damage restoration services. With insulated pipes, heat is less likely to escape as warm water flows through them. When water stays warm for a greater amount of time, less heat is wasted as it flows through the pipes. Ensuring air leaks are sealed and insulated helps maintain a stable indoor temperature. After making the right precautions, you’re going to notice a change in your utility bill - for the better. Although it may take some time out of your day, it’s worth it, making your home much more comfortable. 

                                         What to Do if Your Pipes Freeze

During your homeowning journey, you need to know what to do if pipes freeze. Minimize danger if a pipe bursts by stopping water as fast as you can and prevent it from spreading. For this task, the first step is to shut off the main water supply immediately. It’s important to turn off electricity if you find water surrounding outlets, appliances, or electrical equipment. Only proceed with this task if it’s not hazardous to work with the electrical panel. Use materials such as blow dryers, warm towels, and space heaters safely. One other important detail to remember is to stay away from open flames - this can be fatal. 

                                      Call a Professional Plumber if Pipes Burst

Call a professional plumber if pipes behind the wall burst, you find visible cracks, and no water restoration after thawing. One benefit of professional inspection is you can get a repair technician to identify pipes that are in danger of bursting before the cold temperatures hit. Expert plumbers can also detect hidden leaks or weak plumbing. Although it might not be in your plans to pay for services, it’s going to save you a great deal of pain in the winter. It also helps to create a checklist to prepare for winters. This includes insulation checks, water pressure evaluation, and outdoor plumbing inspection. Long-term cost savings include the prevention of emergency repairs and avoiding water damage restoration expenses. 

                          Prepare For the Winter by Taking Care of Your Pipes

Winter brings all kinds of joyful events - the first snowfall, exciting Christmas break vacations, and enjoying a delicious cup of hot chocolate by the fireside. Don’t let frozen pipes rain on your parade by failing to take care of necessary home care tasks. It might not seem like it’s worth the investment at the time, but giving a plumber a call is going to be the best money you ever spent. Let an expert help you, so you can enjoy winter safely.