How to Prevent Pipes from Freezing This Winter

This will cause the pipe to crack or rupture, causing water damage and obviously harming the efficiency of your plumbing system. This is why it’s so important that you take steps to protect your pipes from the possibility of freezing this winter. Read on for some tips on how to keep your pipes from freezing over the next several months.

The quickest and easiest way to protect your pipes is to ensure that there is no water in them to freeze. Shut off the water to pipes that you can afford not to use during the winter, then open the faucets. This will drain the water already in the pipes, so that you don’t have to worry about it freezing. It may be a little bit inconvenient, depending on the pipes, but it’s better than having to deal with burst pipes.

Most pipes in your home are protected from the possibility of freezing, due to being insulated and heated. Some pipes, though, are both necessary and vulnerable to freezing. This includes those that are under your sink, in your basement, or any one of a half-dozen other places. If you have pipes that you need to be able to use during the winter, but you want to still lessen the chances of them freezing, you still have options aside from draining them.

Insulating sleeves are available at most hardware stores, specifically for this purpose. This is likely the easiest way to ensure that your pipes stay warm during the winter. If that is not an option, you can also take some old towels and secure them around the pipes. It won’t look as pretty, but it should work just fine. Finally, you could have a professional plumber insulate them for you.

You might know where every pipe in your home is, and which ones are the most vulnerable to freezing. On the off-chance that you don’t, though, it might be a good idea to schedule a preventive maintenance appointment before the weather gets too cold. A professional plumber will be able to carefully examine your home for plumbing pipes that might need protection from freezing, and offer you options to do so.

If your entire home is not very well insulated, and you’re worried that there may be more pipes that need protecting than you can cover with old towels or store-bought sleeves, there is always the option to further insulate your walls or attic. This will help to keep heat inside the home, and lessen the chances of pipes in the home freezing.

Lutz Plumbing Inc. offers full plumbing services in Mission, KS. If you need help with your plumbing pipes, contact us today to schedule an appointment.