While many Colorado residents enjoy the below-freezing temperatures in winter and early spring, it can take a toll on your home’s plumbing. If water freezes inside any pipe, the pressure begins to build up and can cause the entire line to burst, causing a snowball effect of home damage.
In an effort to help homeowners enjoy the winter temperatures while keeping their pipes intact, the team at Prime Plumbing & Heating discusses our top 5 methods to avoid freezing water and busted pipes. Keep reading to learn about the temperatures you should be wary of and how to safeguard your home’s precious pipes.
Cover Exposed Pipes
Covering exposed pipes is an easy, cheap way to protect them from bursting. Technically, anytime the temperature is below 32 degrees, water can freeze inside the lines. However, it’s most common for pipes to freeze and burst when the temperature is closer to 20 degrees or if it’s been below freezing for over 6 hours.
If you're facing consistent freezing temperatures, we recommend covering any exposed pipes. You can buy materials at your local hardware store or use materials around your home, like newspapers or rags. That being said, we advise Colorado residents to invest in pipe insulation from the experts since freezing temperatures are frequent.
At Prime Plumbing & Heating, we can fully outfit your home’s pipes to face the harsh temperatures. Our seasoned technicians can evaluate your home’s pipes, make an insulation recommendation, and install insulation where your pipes need it most.
Let Your Faucet Drip
Another method to prevent frozen water and busted pipes is letting your faucet drip. It may be inconvenient to hear your faucet dripping all day, but keeping water moving through your pipes can make a difference when facing sub-freezing temperatures. We recommend choosing the tap furthest away from the water source so that water can circulate through the lines as much as possible.
Circulate Warm Air
It may seem obvious, but if you expose your pipes, especially any exterior ones, to warm air, you can lower the risk of the water freezing inside them. An easy way to do this is to open all bathroom and kitchen cabinets and other spots with exposed pipes. While it may look odd for house guests, avoiding a costly pipe burst is worth it! Keep track of when the temperature will be below freezing and open your cabinet doors when necessary.
Set Your Thermostat
Many of us have taken the Department of Energy’s Recommendation to lower our home’s temperature at night to save money and energy. However, we advise you to keep your thermostat at the same temperature throughout the day when temperatures are below freezing. We hate to sound like a broken record, but again, circulating warm air near your pipes can make all the difference regarding pipe bursts. Keeping the temperature constantly warm can reduce the likelihood of water freezing inside your lines.
Consider Insulation
If you can better seal and insulate areas where cold air is most likely to enter your home, you can warm your home and your pipes. We recommend installing insulation in your garage, crawl space, attic, and basements for all Colorado residents. Adding insulation will be well worth the price if you plan on living in Colorado for over a few months. You can install insulation on your own, or some professionals can do it for you. Either way, insulation can help you keep plumbing catastrophes at bay.
Call the Plumbing Pros If Your Weather-Proofing Fails
Even with the proper preparation, unexpected plumbing problems can still happen. If you experience a busted pipe, an overflowing toilet, or another plumbing emergency, don’t hesitate to call the professionals at Prime Plumbing & Heating. We offer 24/7 emergency service, so you never have to worry about handling your plumbing alone. For more advice about how to protect your pipes this February, call our plumbing professionals today!
Your Trusted Plumbing Experts: Prime Plumbing & Heating
Proudly serving Westminster and Denver, Prime Plumbing & Heating is the premier plumber for homeowners and businesses. We offer 24/7 emergency service, fair and transparent pricing, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Whether you need an AC repair, sewer line replacement, or anything in between, the Prime Plumbing & Heating team can help. Call us at (720) 542-8153 or contact us online!
