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Preventing Frozen Pipes

By January 17, 2025January 22nd, 2025No Comments

It’s the cold truth.  Preventing frozen pipes is much easier than replacing pipes that freeze and burst. As temperatures drop, customers should prepare plumbing to ensure their pipes do not freeze and burst. There are several methods for preventing frozen pipes around the home.

ADD EXTRA INSULATION

  • Pipes closest to an uninsulated wall, door, window, garage, attic or basement are the most susceptible to freezing. Add insulation to exterior walls wherever possible and wrap pipes with insulation. Pipe wrapping material can be found at hardware and building supply stores.
  • If your kitchen or bathroom sink is located against an outside wall, insulate the wall and exposed pipes. You can also leave the cabinet doors open to allow warm air to flow through.

ELIMINATE DRAFTS

  • Get rid of cold drafts near water pipes.
  • Make sure all doors and windows to the outside are tightly sealed.  If you can see daylight through them that means air is getting in.
  • If you have a crawlspace, close your outside vents.

KEEP WARM AIR CIRCULATING

  • Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes.
  • Keep the doors to rooms where the pipes are located open so warm air can keep temperatures above freezing.
  • If you are going to be away or on vacation, make sure your thermostat is set no lower than 55°F.

LET IT DRIP

  • Leaving a pencil-lead-thin stream of water flowing from faucets coming from pipes in unheated areas or against exterior walls may prevent pipes from freezing. You can drip this water into a pan or bucket and use the water for plants or pets water.

OUTDOOR FAUCETS

  • Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses. Disconnecting hoses allows water to drain and helps prevent freezing. You can also use faucet covers that can be purchased from home improvement stores. 

KNOW YOUR PLUMBING

  • If your home has a master shutoff valve, know where it is located and how to use it in the event of a leak.

IF YOU HAVE A LEAK INSIDE YOUR HOME

  • If pipes have frozen, open a faucet and wait until water begins flowing again. Listen for leaks—water expands when it freezes, which can cause leaks in pipes. If a leak is discovered, turn off the water supply to the home at the master shut-off valve and contact a plumber.  Greer CPW is unable to make repairs beyond the meter box.