Prevent Frozen Pipes in the Winter

HOW TO PREVENT YOUR PIPES FROM FREEZING

STEP 1: FIGURE OUT WHICH PIPES ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FREEZING

PIPES THAT ARE OUTDOORS ARE THE FIRST TO FREEZE. THESE EXTERIOR PIPES SHOULD BE BURIED UNDERNEATH THE FROST LINE (USUALLY 24 TO 36 INCHES). ALL OTHER EXTERIOR PIPES INCLUDING POOL SUPPLY LINES, WATER SPRINKLER LINES, HOSE BIBS, AND WATER METER LINES, ARE HIGHLY VULNERABLE TO THE CLIMATE.
PIPES THAT ARE INSIDE UNHEATED SPACES SUCH AS CRAWL SPACES, GARAGES, AND EXTERIOR WALLS ARE ALSO PRIME CANDIDATES TO FREEZE.

STEP 2: SHUTOFF ALL WATER SUPPLIES TO THESE VULNERABLE PIPES

PIPES FREEZE BECAUSE THERE IS STANDING WATER IN THE PIPES. THE EASIEST WAY TO STOP THE PIPES FROM FREEZING IS TO TURNOFF THE WATER SUPPLY THAT LEADS TO THESE EXTERIOR PIPES. USUALLY THERE IS A VALVE INSIDE THE BASEMENT WHICH WILL SHUTOFF THE WATER TO THESE PIPES. ONCE THE WATER IS TURNED OFF REMEMBER TO DRAIN THE PIPES BY TURNING ON OUTSIDE VALVES.

STEP 3: INSULATE BOTH HOT AND COLD WATER PIPES

ANY PIPE THAT RUNS NEAR AN EXTERIOR WALL, IN AN UNHEATED BASEMENT OR CRAWL SPACE SHOULD BE INSULATED. REMEMBER, HOT WATER PIPES ARE JUST AS LIKELY TO FREEZE IF THEY ARE UNINSULATED. AT METRO SUPPLY COMPANY WE RECOMMEND FIBERGLASS PIPE INSULATION WITH ASJ JACKETING. FIBERGLASS PIPE INSULATION COMES IN MULTIPLE THICKNESSES FROM 1/2″ TO 2″ THICK. THE THICKER THE INSULATION THE BETTER.

STEP 4: IN EXTREME CLIMATES INSTALL HEAT TAPE UNDER INSULATION

PIPES THAT ARE CONTINUOUSLY EXPOSED TO EXTREME COLD WEATHER SHOULD HAVE HEAT CABLES (AKA HEAT TAPE OR HEAT TRACERS) APPLIED TO IT. HEAT CABLES COME WITH A THERMOSTAT WHICH WILL ENSURE THAT THE PIPE DOES NOT GO BELOW FREEZING. KEEP IN MIND THAT PIPES WITH HEAT TAPE MUST BE INSULATED TO FORCE THE HEAT ON/INTO THE PIPE AND TO CONSERVE ENERGY.
QUICK FIX: DURING EXTREMELY COLD NIGHTS KEEP YOUR FAUCETS SLIGHTLY OPEN TO KEEP A CONSTANT DRIP OF BOTH HOT AND COLD WATER. THIS WILL PREVENT STANDING WATER WHICH IS MORE LIKELY TO FREEZE.