5 Tips To Keep Your Pipes From Freezing & Bursting in Cold Weather

With temperatures dropping and winter on the horizon, it’s important to make sure your pipes are winter-proofed. That way, you won’t have to worry about any unexpected surprises in the form of pipe bursts and home leaks. Fixing a broken pipe can be time-consuming, expensive, and just plain inconvenient. Fortunately, there are easy ways to prevent issues like these from occurring in the first place. In this article, we’ll discuss five simple steps you can take to maintain and protect your pipes against low temperatures and keep your home safe and dry.

Keep the Heat On

Even in the warm Sacramento climate, we experience occasional cold spells. When the temperature falls below freezing, pipes can become brittle and more likely to break. That’s why it’s important to keep your home heated as much as possible during these low-temperature spells. Not only cold winters, but it’s also important to take steps to prevent your pipes from freezing and bursting. Here are some tips:

• Keep your thermostat set to at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit, even when you’re away from home.
• Open cabinet doors to let heat reach exposed pipes under sinks and in other cabinets.
• Disconnect any hoses from outdoor faucets and drain them before cold weather sets in.
• If you know a storm is coming, let a little water drip from all your faucets overnight to keep water moving through the pipes and prevent them from freezing.

Let Faucets Drip

If you’re leaving your home for an extended period of time during cold weather, it’s important to take measures to prevent your pipes from freezing and bursting. One way to do this is to let your faucets drip during the coldest hours of the night. This will help keep water moving through your pipes, which will inhibit the formation of ice crystals that can cause pipes to burst.

Open Cabinet Doors

When the temperature outside begins to drop, one of the first things you can do to prevent your pipes from freezing is to open cabinet doors that contain plumbing. This will allow warm air from your home’s interior to circulate around the pipes and help keep them from becoming too cold. You should also make sure any vents in these cabinets are clear so that the airflow is not restricted.

Check for cracks and gaps

If you live in an area with cold winters, it’s important to check your pipes for cracks and gaps before the temperature drops. Even a small crack can cause a pipe to burst when the water inside freezes and expands.

To check for cracks, start by looking for any leaks around your faucets or plumbing fixtures. Then, look for any gaps or cracks in the exposed pipes in your basement, crawlspace, or utility room. If you find any damage, make sure to repair it before the temperature drops too low.

Wrapping exposed pipes with insulation tape can also help prevent them from freezing and bursting. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using insulation tape, and don’t forget to seal any seams or gaps with caulk to create a tight seal.

Insulate Your Home

One way to prevent pipe bursts and home leaks in low temperatures is to insulate your home. This can be done by ensuring that all exterior walls are properly insulated, as well as any pipes that are exposed to the outside elements. Doing so will help to keep the heat inside your home, and prevent any cold air from coming in and causing the pipes to freeze. Additionally, you can seal any cracks or gaps around windows and doors to further prevent drafts from coming in.

Conclusion

As homeowners, it is important to take the necessary steps in order to prevent pipe bursts and home leaks during cold weather. By following our five tips for preventing pipe bursts and home leaks, you can help ensure that your plumbing system functions at its best even when temperatures drop. You should also remember to check for any visible signs of damage or wear and tear on exposed pipes regularly so that you can take action sooner rather than later if needed. With some simple preventive measures taken care of now, you will be able to keep yourself protected from costly damages down the road! Need help? Not to worry, our professional plumbers are here to help. Contact us today to get started!