The Danger of Frozen Pipes and How to Prevent Them

Winter can be a wonderful time of year. However, it can also be the time when your heating system fails to do its job. If this should occur, it may well be due to frozen pipes. This is a serious danger that, luckily, can be prevented. It will be up to you to spot the danger and fix it before it becomes an issue.

Use Heat Tape to Insulate Your Pipes

One of the best things you can do to keep your home warm during the winter will be to use heat tape for pipes. This special kind of tape is designed to wrap around your pipes. It can help to seal up any leaks or cracks that may be in the process of developing. You shouldn't use the tape as a solution for the long term. It can hold the pipe together until you can repair or replace it.

Make Sure Your Garden Hose is Disconnected

You have very likely finished working in your garden by the time winter rolls in. At this point, all of the hoses that you had connected in your garden should be shut off. Their services will no longer be required. Make sure to completely disengage them from the tap, drain them out, and store them in a safe dry place.

All of the shut-off valves that regulate outside water for your hoses should likewise be closed. You can open a faucet outside in order to drain the line. This should be kept open all winter. The reason will be to allow enough space for any water that is still in the pipe to expand. This will prevent breakages.

Make Sure All Air Leaks Are Sealed

There are a number of methods that can be employed in order to prevent frozen pipes. One of the most crucial will be to make sure that all potential air leaks are fully sealed. This will prevent the formation of leaks or cracks that can let in cold air. You can start sealing cracks in the pipes that run along the exterior of your home.

Once the exterior pipes are sealed, you can then do a thorough check of all the interior pipes in your property. Pay attention to the sill plates that are found in the area where your foundation lies. These are very prone to cracking during the winter season. Seal up any cracks or fissures you find, no matter how small.

Let Your Faucet Drip a Small Amount

It's okay to let your faucet drip just a tiny bit throughout the winter season. This isn't the gigantic waster of energy and money that many people claim it to be. On the contrary, letting the faucets in your home drip a tiny amount may be what keeps your pipes from freezing up. For this reason, it's a very smart move.

The point of doing so will be to let a tiny trickle of water keep your pipes just active enough to prevent ice from forming inside them. This will also help to prevent a rupture due to too much pressure. The trick is to warm the pipes up to a level that will prevent any kind of expansion or leakage during the winter.

Make Sure Your Temperature is Always Consistent

It will be crucial to make sure that the temperature in your home stays at a consistent level all through the winter months. Maintaining your temperature at the same level will be the best way to keep ice from forming in your pipes.

If you are planning on being away from your home during the winter, make sure your thermostat is set at a consistent 55 degrees F. This will provide just enough warmth to keep your pipes from bursting. It will also save you money.

Don't Let Frozen Pipes Ruin Your Winter

The winter season is a time for reflection and celebration. You don't want your season to be ruined by frozen, leaking, or burst pipes. If the pipes in your home are old, now is a good time to get them checked out. You can repair or replace your pipes in order to make sure they don't cause issues in the future.

Guest Contributor: Stephanie Snyder