How to Avoid Frozen Pipes this Winter

As winter's chill sets in, one of the most common and costly problems homeowners face is freezing pipes. When temperatures drop, the water inside pipes can freeze, leading to blockages, ruptures and significant water damage. And when those chilly temperatures stay for a while, water can slowly expand, building pressure within your pipes until they burst.

Understanding the risks and taking proactive steps to avoid frozen pipes is essential for maintaining a safe and secure home during the colder months.

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes

Preventing pipes from freezing is far less expensive and stressful than dealing with the aftermath of a burst pipe. Taking certain precautions will not guarantee your pipes will not freeze during extremely low temperatures, but it can help you reduce the risk of it happening.

Here are some of our helpful tips:

1. Keep the indoor temperature consistent. Keeping the same temperature during both day and night can help avoid frozen pipes. This is also important to do when you're away and may be tempted to lower your thermostat due to no one being in the home. While this may result in a higher energy bill than normal, it is likely much cheaper than the clean-up and repair of burst pipes.
2. Insulate your pipes. Installing pipe sleeves is a straightforward way to protect exposed pipes, especially those within areas that may not be well insulated, such as your garage and basement. These pipe sleeves are easy to install and can be found at most hardware stores.
3. Open cabinet doors. Keeping the cabinet doors open will allow warm air to circulate around the pipes under your sinks. If you're concerned about child safety and items under your sink, you can also add towels under your sink to better insulate your pipes.
4. Run faucets. Let water drip lightly overnight, especially when temperatures drop below freezing. Keeping water moving, even at a slow rate, can help prevent pipes from freezing. This is also recommended for when you are leaving your home for multiple days during cold weather. This ensures that even though you may not be using your pipes, it keeps the water moving slowly enough that it won't freeze.
5. Disconnect your outdoor drains and pipes. If you haven't yet disconnected your garden hoses and drained the water from outdoor faucets, do so now. This is extremely important in avoiding frozen pipes.
6. Check your insulation. If you have areas of your home prone to drafts or are always cold, it may be a sign your insulation isn't working properly. Not only does insulation keep you and your family warm indoors, but it also helps your pipes maintain their temperature better.

How to Thaw Frozen Pipes

Before attempting to thaw a frozen pipe, be sure to open both the hot and cold handles to the faucet. This will help relieve pressure inside the pipe when the water begins to thaw.

• Use a hairdryer. Always start warming the pipe closest to the faucet, working your way to the coldest part of the pipe. This will help avoid bursting a pipe.
• Turn on a heat lamp or space heater. Warming the air around the pipes can help with thawing. Position the heater near the pipes and follow all safety instructions on the heating device.
• Warm up some towels. Wrap towels that have been soaked in hot water around the frozen pipe. Do this until you notice the temperature of the pipe has warmed up.

Frozen Pipe Emergency

If you find yourself in a plumbing emergency, give us a call right away at (804) 748-6728. Our 24/7 emergency hotline and plumbing professionals at Bradley Mechanical are here to help you when plumbing emergencies strike.

After you've given us a call, make sure your water supply has been turned off. This will help reduce the amount of water and damage overall. Place a bucket to try and catch any of the water and use towels to begin soaking up the damage. The faster you can react to water damage, the better off your home will be in the long run.

Plumbing Professionals at Your Service

By taking these preventative measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of freezing pipes and the costly damage that can follow. Stay vigilant and prepared, and your home will be better equipped to withstand winter's freezing temperatures.

Here at Bradley Mechanical, we are proud to have decades of experience in quickly solving emergency plumbing issues. We are the Richmond and Central Virginia plumbing experts and "We'll Get You Outta the Fix You're In."