5 Frozen Pipe Prevention Tips That Will Save You Time and Money

February 4, 2017 3:10 am Published by Leave your thoughts

We can all agree that right now is our coldest time of year here in Colorado. In fact, it’s downright freezing in many parts of the state! It’s so cold that frozen water pipes are a real concern, because they can lead to all sorts of inconvenient and expensive problems—like no running water, poor water quality, burst pipes and various types of water damage. So, if you live in an area of the country that experiences freezing winter temperatures, it would behoove you to take preventative measures to ensure safe conditions for your plumbing.

Here are five tips to prevent frozen pipes and avoid needing an emergency plumber in Colorado Springs, CO this winter:

  • Disconnect outdoor water sources: Even though your outdoor water hoses are not in use, water still remains in the line. The smallest amount of water left inside a hose can freeze and make its way to any exit point it can find, be it the end of the hose, where the faucet connects or through the pipes running inside your home. Frozen pipes can burst your faucet, which can lead to indoor and outdoor flooding. As a preventative step, disconnect garden hoses from faucet heads, and then drain as much water as possible before storing.
  • Let warm air circulate near enclosed plumbing: Cold, still air is a danger to enclosed pipe areas. Such areas around your home include bathrooms, laundry rooms, mudrooms and kitchens. The pipes running to these water sources are most likely exposed—meaning not insulated or covered—yet shut in by cabinet doors. To warm up pipes without needing to use a space heater in multiple areas, simply open the cupboards to let heat reach the pipes.
  • Check crawl space heaters: You might use special heaters to heat up your home’s floors directly above a crawl space, but they can also double as a device to keep plumbing pipes warm. Heat rises, so a basement crawl space heater is the perfect solution for preventing exposed pipes in these areas from freezing. Check the heaters often to be sure they are working.
  • Use heat tape: Wrapping heat tape around water pipes can prevent them from freezing. Consider using heat tape during the colder months for exposed plumbing on the exterior of the home, in crawl spaces and under sink cabinets. And heat tape is especially beneficial for mobile homes, since most of the plumbing runs under an almost always open foundation.
  • Be cautious leaving faucets open: If you leave faucets dripping in an attempt to prevent the line from freezing, there’s a chance you may actually cause freezing in your sewer line; this can happen if the water is shallow. Truth be told, it’s safer to open up the sink cupboards to let warm air circulate.

When you are in need of an emergency plumber in Colorado Springs, CO, make sure your first call is to the team of professionals at Affordable Rooter. Contact us this winter for help with frozen pipes, or anytime of year for all your plumbing needs!

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