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Professional Tips to Avoid Frozen Pipes Over the Cold Winter

Posted on November 10, 2022 by

Preventing Frozen Pipes This Winter 

Winter is closing in quickly, which means a swift drop in temperatures that could put the home under stress. Winter weather can take a toll on a home, from ice damaging roof lines to frozen soil damaging sidewalks and driveways. But, one of the more common winter problems for homeowners is frozen pipes. 

Frozen pipes can happen in any home. With wild weather happening more often, homes are subjected to wild temperature swings that they were not designed to withstand. This means that frozen pipes are becoming more common because of colder winters. Even if frozen pipes have never been a problem for the piping system, it is best to take a stand against the damage they can cause. Here is a quick guide to the dangers of frozen pipes and what homeowners can do to prevent them. 

What are the Dangers of Frozen Pipes?pipes

A frozen pipe occurs when the water within a pipe reaches 32 degrees and freezes. This causes a pipe service loss, which can be inconvenient enough. But, the real trouble comes when the freezing water naturally expands and stresses the pipe. If a pipe is allowed to freeze solid, the almost certain result is a burst pipe. 

Bursting pipes are a huge danger during the winter because they can cause fast floods around the home, along with a total loss of plumbing service. Burst pipes cause damage like:

The financial cost of burst pipe remediation can be huge, so it is best to take steps to prevent them altogether. 

Can Pipe Insulation Help? pipe

The main weapon deployed against dangerous burst pipes is simply foam pipe insulation. Pipe insulation is a special pipe covering material that wraps pipes of any size so that the cold air can’t get to the pipe itself. Homeowners can install it, or a professional plumber can wrap all exposed pipes in a quick visit. Best of all, pipe insulation is cheap, considering the costs that burst pipes can incur. 

Other Frozen Pipe Prevention Tips 

Pipe insulation will do the bulk of the work when preventing frozen pipes. However, homeowners can take plenty of other steps to prevent this dangerous situation. Here are a few suggestions to help homeowners get the most protection for the least amount of effort and cost: 

  • Reroute plumbing that may be exposed to freezing temperatures
  • Use heat tape along with insulation on pipes that can’t be rerouted
  • Leave faucets dripping in fixtures where the plumbing runs through exterior walls
  • Install hose bib covers to prevent cold from conducting into interior pipes
  • Open cabinet doors to fixtures served by plumbing in exterior walls
  • Use space heaters to keep rooms warm that have plumbing running through the walls
  • If a home is unoccupied, set the thermostat to at least 55 degrees to keep the home warm 

By insulating pipes and following these suggestions, everyone can know that their plumbing is ready for the winter. 

About All Clear Plumbing

For over 70 years, All Clear Plumbing has been offering prompt and professional service. Using the latest innovations in pipe insulation and burst pipe prevention, they are ready to help any home survive the nastiest winter. Call today to keep Belleville, NJ homes safe from frozen pipes with plumbing service. 

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