Frozen pipes – it is a common plumbing issue for homeowners to face during the colder months of winter. Outdoor pipes can freeze when a cold snap hits out of the blue. Plumbing such as outdoor faucets or plumbing located in outbuildings or garages are vulnerable to freezing. If you have plumbing outside or in unheated buildings, you must insulate these pipes to protect them from freezing during the colder winter temperatures.
Protecting Outside Pipes
You need to put insulation between your outdoor pipes and the cold air to prevent freezing. To begin, outside faucets should be turned off and all the water allowed to drain out of the pipes before you add insulation. You can use insulating plumber’s tape to protect pipes or even wrap newspaper and plastic around them in a pinch.
After the outside pipes are covered, check all the plumbing in the garage, outbuildings and even in the crawl space under the home. Any pipes that are exposed to the cold air without insulation have the possibility of freezing if the temperature drops low enough. If pipes are allowed to freeze solid, the ice can expand and cause a burst pipe that can be expensive to repair or replace.
Unfortunately, even insulation does not stop all pipes from freezing. A severe drop in temperature can cause a pipe to freeze even inside your home if it is located on an outside wall. If a pipe freezes, turn off the water valve to the pipe and call your local plumber for emergency service. It is best to have a professional handle thawing the pipe in case the pipe was damaged and needs replacement.
Posted on behalf of:
Seagraves Plumbing Sewer & Septic
4980 Plant Atkinson Rd SE
Smyrna, GA 30080
(494) 792-2221
