Tips to Prevent Cold Weather Plumbing Problems

An unexpected cold snap is all it takes to cause a major problem with your plumbing. An exposed pipe can quickly freeze and crack, leaving you with repair costs and possibly water damage. Most cold weather plumbing issues can be prevented, saving you the inconvenience and costs of a plumbing emergency. Here are a few tips to get ready for the cold weather around the bend.

  • Wrap exposed pipes. Any plumbing that is exposed to the outdoors should be insulated, even in warmer regions. Some insulating plumbing tape wrapped around the pipe can be enough to prevent freezing.
  • Close crawl space vents. Protect those pipes under your home by closing any vents to your crawl space to help insulate them when the cold weather hits.
  • Garage plumbing. If you have plumbing for a laundry room, bathroom or utility sink in your garage, be careful of leaving the garage door open. Garage indoor plumbing is one of the most common to freeze due to unexpected cold snaps during the winter.
  • Disconnect outdoor hoses. Do not leave outdoor hoses connected during the winter. A cold burst can freeze the water in the hose and cause the pipe to freeze as well. Disconnect all hoses and use a cover for outdoor faucets.
  • Keep any room with plumbing heated. Even rooms with little use need to stay heated during winter cold fronts if they contain plumbing. Make sure all rooms are kept above 55 degrees to ensure plumbing stays above freezing.

Even with the best prevention measures, every year there are cold weather plumbing emergencies. If you have a frozen pipe, call your local plumber for an emergency repair to prevent further damage to your home.

Posted on behalf of:
Seagraves Plumbing Sewer & Septic
4980 Plant Atkinson Rd SE
Smyrna, GA 30080
(494) 792-2221