Tips for Keeping Your Pipes from Freezing in the Winter

Frozen Exterior Faucet
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Winter can bring more than just chilly temperatures—it can also lead to costly plumbing problems if your pipes freeze. When water inside your pipes freezes, it expands, potentially causing pipes to burst and result in significant water damage. As the winter months approach, it’s essential to take proactive steps to protect your home’s plumbing system from freezing.

Here are some practical tips to help you keep your pipes safe and your home warm.

1. Insulate Your Pipes

One of the most effective ways to prevent pipes from freezing is to insulate them, especially those located in unheated areas like basements, attics, and garages. Pipe insulation is affordable and easy to install, providing an extra layer of protection against cold temperatures.

  • Use foam pipe insulation: This material is inexpensive and can be easily wrapped around exposed pipes to keep them warm.
  • Pay attention to exterior walls: Pipes that run along exterior walls are more prone to freezing, so be sure to insulate these areas carefully.
  • Cover outdoor faucets: Use insulated covers on outdoor faucets and hose bibs to prevent freezing.

2. Keep the Heat On

Even if you’re leaving town for a few days, it’s important to keep your home’s heating system on during cold spells. Lowering the thermostat might seem like a good way to save on heating costs, but letting your home get too cold increases the risk of frozen pipes.

  • Set your thermostat to at least 55°F: This is the minimum temperature recommended to prevent pipes from freezing.
  • Use space heaters in cold areas: If certain rooms or parts of your home tend to stay colder, consider using a space heater to maintain warmth around vulnerable pipes.

3. Let Faucets Drip

Letting your faucets drip slightly can help relieve pressure in the pipes and keep water flowing. Moving water is less likely to freeze, so even a slow trickle can make a big difference in preventing frozen pipes.

  • Open faucets in vulnerable areas: If you have pipes in unheated areas of your home, let the faucet connected to those pipes drip slowly.
  • Keep both hot and cold water flowing: Make sure both hot and cold water lines are dripping to avoid freezing in both pipes.

4. Seal Any Gaps

Cold air can sneak into your home through cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and pipes. Sealing these areas can help keep your home warmer and reduce the risk of frozen pipes.

  • Check around pipes entering the house: Use caulk or spray foam to seal any gaps around pipes that enter your home from outside.
  • Install weatherstripping: Add weatherstripping around doors and windows to keep cold air out and warm air in.

5. Open Cabinet Doors

In kitchens and bathrooms, pipes are often hidden behind cabinets. These areas can become much colder than the rest of your home, especially if the cabinet doors are closed. By opening cabinet doors, you allow warm air to circulate the pipes, helping to prevent freezing.

  • Open cabinets under sinks: This is especially important for pipes located along exterior walls.
  • Consider leaving doors open overnight: On particularly cold nights, leave the cabinet doors open to ensure the pipes get enough warmth.

6. Disconnect and Drain Outdoor Hoses

One of the most common causes of frozen pipes is water left in outdoor hoses. If you don’t disconnect and drain your hoses before winter, the water inside can freeze, expand, and cause damage to both the hose and the pipe it’s attached to.

  • Disconnect hoses: Remove all hoses from outdoor faucets and store them indoors.
  • Drain outdoor faucets: Be sure to drain any remaining water from outdoor faucets and consider turning off the water supply to exterior pipes.

Keep Your Pipes Safe This Winter: Schedule a Plumbing Inspection with PlumbPros!

Frozen pipes can be a major headache during the winter, but with the right precautions, you can keep your plumbing safe and your home warm. By insulating pipes, maintaining heat, and allowing faucets to drip, you can significantly reduce the risk of costly plumbing repairs.

Reach out to PlumbPros today at (512) 400-3568 to learn more.