4 Helpful Tips To Prevent Your Water Pipes From Freezing

Winter can bring freezing temperatures, and some locations even experience well-below-freezing winds. When forecasters predict extremely cold temperatures, they usually advise you to stay indoors. And as plumbing experts, we also recommend you tend to your plumbing. Use these helpful tips to prevent your water pipes from freezing so that you don’t have to worry about water damage in the dead of winter.

Open Cabinets

If you live in an area that experiences extreme cold, you should open cabinets with any plumbing fixtures, such as sinks. This allows for more airflow and lessens the chances of water freezing in any uninsulated pipes.

Pro-Tip

Many of us keep tissue products or cleaning chemicals in our cabinets, and if you’re one of these individuals, remember to temporarily move these items if you have pets or young kids.

Insulate Pipes

Many experts advise keeping the pipes in your crawl space and attic insulated to protect them from the bitter cold. We concur with this advice. Plus, by insulating your pipes, you ensure you still have access to warm water even on the coldest of days.

Use Heat Tape

Another helpful tip to prevent your water pipes from freezing is to wrap your pipes in heat tape since this prevents the water from freezing inside the pipes. As you go about this, you should also look for leaks or areas that may need caulking to further avoid a leak.

Adjust the Thermostat

Chances are, you’ll crank up the heat at least a few degrees on a cold day to keep your household feeling nice and toasty. Doing this also keeps the house warm. However, try to keep the temperatures stable throughout the day and night. Don’t suddenly increase it several degrees before bed. As a bonus, keeping those temperatures stable also puts less stress on your furnace.

Pro-Tip

If you plan to go out of town to escape the bitter cold, ask a neighbor to watch your house while you’re away. The last thing you want is to come home to a catastrophe.

What To Do if Your Pipes Freeze

Sometimes, you can do everything right, and a pipe could still freeze if it’s cold enough outside due to an air leak. In this event, you should call a plumber and avoid using this plumbing fixture until they can look things over.

If you need trenchless water line replacement in Seattle or the surrounding area, contact Complete Trenchless. Our experts will inspect your waterlines and make any necessary repairs to ensure your home is up and running in no time.