How to Keep Pipes from Freezing

Winter in Kosciusko County can bring with it new threats to your home. Pipes are most vulnerable when the weather freezes over, and if a pipe becomes cold enough, it could expand and burst. The result may be an incredibly expensive bill after repairs and water damage cleanup.

How do you keep your pipes from freezing and bursting this winter? At Kosciusko REMC, we want to help you maintain safety and efficiency in your home. Follow our guide to winter pipe maintenance to learn how to keep your pipes from freezing.

Locate your vulnerable pipes. Any pipes that are exposed to the winter wind or colder temperatures are vulnerable. These pipes are likely to be the ones in your attic, garage, crawlspaces, and outside walls.

Fit pipes with sleeves or wrapping. Once you’ve located vulnerable pipes, fit any that are accessible with insulation sleeves or wrapping. This will help them stay warm when the cold sweeps in.

Insulate unconditioned spaces that contain water pipes. By adding insulation to unused corners like your attic and crawlspaces, those areas will be able to maintain warmer temperatures.

Seal any cracks and holes in your house. Use caulk or expandable foam to seal the spaces in your outside walls that may be letting in cold air. This will further protect your pipes from freezing.

Be intentional about opening doors. When the weather is cold, keep your kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors open, so that warmer air can circulate around the plumbing.

Remember your pipes when you leave the house. Don’t neglect your home’s safety when you’re headed out for vacation. Set your heat to no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit so your pipes are safe from the cold.

Leave the faucets on. If you let water drip from the faucets that are connected to vulnerable pipes, you’ll keep them moving and prevent the freeze. This can also help melt ice that has begun to form along pipes.

Know the warning signs and how to act. Your pipes may be frozen if you can’t get more than a trickle from a faucet. In this case, you should respond by shutting off the main water valve and calling a qualified plumber as soon as possible.

This blog was supplemented by material from Touchstone Energy Cooperatives.