How To Winterize Your Plumbing and Pipes

 

Living in Missouri means dealing with winter. While you may enjoy looking at and playing in the snow, winter comes with some cold temperatures. Those cold temperatures not only mean you need to bundle up and stay warm but so does your plumbing. In other words, your plumbing and pipes need winterization. Winterization help prevent your plumbing pipes from freezing. Freezing pipes can lead to leaks and breaks in the home. Following these simple steps will help with flood prevention in your home during the winter.

Insulate Your Pipes

The best way to keep your pipes warm is to insulate them. Insulating your pipes is simple. You will first need to buy thick insulation (found at your local hardware store or online). After purchasing the insulation, you will want to wrap the insulation around your pipes. Try wrapping heat tape around your pipes before adding the insulation for better results. Like any other do-it-yourself project, be sure to read any manufacturer’s instructions to ensure the best and safest results.

Fix Exterior Cracks

Exterior cracks allow more cold air to enter your house. The more cold air that fills your home, the more likely it is that a pipe will freeze and burst. To prevent air from getting in through cracks, you will need to locate and fix any exterior cracks. All you have to do to fix a crack is fill it with caulk or spray insulation.

Let Your Faucets Drip

Pipes during the winter month are more likely to freeze and burst at night when the outside temperature drops below freezing. Allowing your faucets to drip a little at night will help keep them from freezing and bursting. The little water that goes through your pipes when dripping is enough to keep your pipes warm.

Open Up Your Cabinets

If your pipes are close to an exterior wall, then they are more likely to freeze. Since exterior pipes receive a little extra cold air flow, they will be the first plumbing pipes to freeze and burst. To prevent your pipes from freezing and bursting, simply open up any cabinets underneath the sink. Opening up your cabinets allows for more warm air to reach your pipes and keep them from freezing.

Insulate Garage Doors, Crawl Space, and Basement Windows

Cold air loves to enter your home through any little crack it can find. A couple of places to look at are your garage door, crawl space, and basement window (if applicable). Any little air pocket in these places will allow cold air to get to your pipes. If too much cold air gets to your pipes, they will freeze. Prevent any air pockets in your garage door, crawl space, and basement windows by adding insulation.

My Pipes Froze and Burst…What To Do?

You can winterize your plumbing pipes and hope they will not freeze and burst, but this isn’t always the case. If you have a flooding problem due to a burst pipe, then call Kelley Klean. Kelley Klean will come out and fix any water damage you may have. Contact Kelley Klean today!