Tips for Protecting Your Plumbing this Winter Season

When the weather starts to dip below freezing, many homeowners’ thoughts turn to their HVAC to keep warm inside their homes. However, while you may be comfortable, that comfort can easily be destroyed by the dangers associated with frozen pipes.

Low temperatures can be devastating to your plumbing, and for you both financially and emotionally. Knowing a few simple tips can save the heartache of having an emergency situation happen in the dead of the winter.

How Heat Tape Can Prevent Frozen Pipes

One way to help prevent frozen pipes is by using heat tape in the home. However, this is actually not a type of tape and is, instead, an electric cord. This cord is placed on the inside of the home’s pipes and keeps them warm from the inside so that they don’t freeze.

They come in two varieties - self-regulating and non-regulating. Some plumbers may even offer a heat tape kit. Due to the risk of fire, heat tape should always be installed by a trained plumber. In addition, it is important to take the pipe material into account.

Heat tape does get warm enough that it may be able to melt through plastic pipes. It also can be an expensive way to keep the home from having frozen pipes, as the typical electric cost can add up quickly. This cost is usually around $40 a month for a medium-sized home.

Heat tape should also be used in combination with insulation for further insurance against frozen pipes.

Pipe Insulation To Stop Frozen Pipes

Insulating water pipes can really help prevent frozen pipes, as well as potentially lower a home’s electricity bill by reducing heat loss. The pipes that need insulating will vary depending on where they are located in the home and how much direct exposure they will have.

Insulation will be needed most on pipes that are located in unheated areas of the home. Specifically, those in crawl spaces, exterior walls, and garages that are not heated. Both the hot water and cold water pipes should be insulated, as both can freeze equally.

There are a few strategies and insulation types that are beneficial in this situation. Pipe wraps are probably the most simple. These are all radiated with an R, for how resistant they are to airflow. Generally, a pipe wrap with an R-4 rating is sufficient. Foam pipe sleeves are also helpful, and even easier to install. These steps are thoroughly important in order to prevent repiping services from frozen pipes. 

A Slow Drip Can Help Prevent Frozen Pipes

Although many homeowners are already aware of this helpful tip to prevent frozen pipes, not everyone is. When the temperatures start to drop below freezing, it is advised to run a slow drip of water through the water cycle constantly from the faucets.

This helps reduce the pressure in the pipes, and the continual stream of water stops the pipes from freezing. In the event that the pipes freeze anyway, running that stream of water can also prevent a rupture. This is especially important in homes that have pipes exposed to the outdoors more, as they will also get colder.

Make sure that the water running is cold and not hot. Too big of a temperature difference can actually increase the risk of pipe rupture, as well as add money to the home’s electric bill.

About Bud’s Plumbing & Repair Service

Serving the Evansville, Indiana area since 1920, Bud’s Plumbing & Repair Service continues to promise honest, quality workmanship. They are the winner of multiple awards for their quality workmanship, and their trusted, professional staff undergoes weekly training to maintain their stellar level of service.

• 
  +
• 
  +
• 
  +
• 
  +