How to Winterize Your Pipes and Prevent Freezing
Simple steps to protect your plumbing system from costly damage during cold weather.
"Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear."— George Addair
As winter approaches, one of the most important preventive maintenance tasks for any property owner is winterizing the plumbing system. A frozen pipe can quickly turn into a burst pipe, leading to catastrophic water damage and expensive repairs. The good news is that with a few simple steps, you can protect your pipes from the cold.
The first line of defense is insulation. Focus on pipes located in unheated areas of your home, such as basements, crawl spaces, attics, and garages. You can use affordable and easy-to-install foam pipe sleeves or wrapping to provide an effective thermal barrier. For an even higher level of protection, electric heat tape can be applied directly to the pipes, which automatically warms them when temperatures drop to near freezing.
It's also crucial to address your outdoor plumbing. Disconnect all garden hoses from outdoor faucets (spigots). If you don't have frost-proof spigots, shut off the water supply to them from inside your home and drain the lines. During a particularly deep freeze, let cold water drip from a faucet served by exposed pipes. Even a trickle of moving water can help prevent a pipe from freezing solid. These small, proactive measures can save you from a major plumbing disaster.