As winter approaches, now is a great time to make sure your plumbing is protected from the cold. Anyone who has had to deal with the mess and expense of plumbing pipes bursting from the water inside freezing can tell you it is something you want to avoid. By using a few prevention measures, you can keep your pipes and water safe from bursting. 

Most water pipes are only in danger of freezing and consequently bursting when there is a severe cold snap in the weather. When water freezes, it expands, filling in the area within the pipe. 

Prevention tips

Most homes in cold weather areas are built with their pipes well-insulated and located inside the insulated walls of the house. Homes in warmer areas are more likely to have pipes that are left exposed in crawl spaces and attics. However, any home may have areas where the cold air can hit pipes and cause them to freeze. 

• Insulate pipes. Wrap pipes that are exposed with insulating tape or foam pipe insulation to help block the cold air.
  
• Keep water running. Keeping a trickle of water running out of all faucets can prevent freezing.
  
• Use heat lamps. Space heaters or heat lamps can be used to warm exposed pipes, but only do this if you are home to keep an eye on them. 

The first sign of a frozen pipe is when the water no longer is coming through a faucet. If you catch it soon enough, you may be able to thaw it before it bursts. For help with water line repairs due to frozen or burst pipes, you should call your local plumber to fix the problem.