Experiencing frozen pipes in your home can be a devastating situation. Not only can this disrupt the flow of water through your plumbing system, but it can lead to a leaky or burst pipe that causes flooding. That can result in extensive water damage to the structure, finishings, and items in your residence. Don’t let the cold temperatures in Festus, MO, cause frozen pipes. Let’s look at some of the ways you can prevent this scenario.
Promoting Ample Airflow
There may be areas of your home that experience a lack of airflow, which allows cold temperatures to cause your pipes to start freezing. You may want to leave vanities and cabinets that have plumbing inside them open. This will allow warm air to circulate around your pipes, preventing freezing water.
Adding Insulation
You can insulate around your pipes to keep them warm throughout the winter There are several types of insulation you can choose from based on your budget, the accessibility of your pipes, etc. Foam insulation tubing can be cut to size, and it will fit right over your pipes. You can also have spray foam insulation blown into all the different nooks and crannies around your pipes to keep things warm. Fiberglass insulation is another option that is very affordable and resistant to mold.
Let Water Trickle
You can allow a small amount of water to trickle out of your faucets and fixtures when temperatures are becoming very cold. This slow movement of water is often enough to prevent water from freezing inside your pipes. It’s not the most efficient way to prevent your pipes from freezing, but it can be used periodically.
Heating Your Home
Always maintain a temperature inside your home that is above 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything below this puts your pipes at risk of freezing. Even if you’re going to be away from home for an extended period, it’s not necessary to turn your heating system off completely. If you have a smart thermostat installed before your departure, this will allow you to monitor your home’s interior temperature remotely. You can even adjust from your location away from home.
Make sure that you leave all the vents and registers open in the various rooms. You need to maintain ample airflow throughout your residence so certain sections of your plumbing system don’t become colder than others.
Reach Out for Assistance
Keeping up with professional routine maintenance and scheduling necessary repairs can be beneficial. If you have a pipe that is frozen or partially frozen, we can use equipment to thaw the pipe without causing damage to your plumbing system. We utilize devices that will provide low levels of heat to slowly increase the temperature.
If you have areas of your plumbing system that are prone to freezing, we can inspect these locations to see what kind of improvements can be made. This may involve rerouting a section of pipe or insulating an area. There may also be gaps or cracks around certain areas of your plumbing system that are allowing cold air to enter your home and cause problems. These spots should be sealed.
Don’t Forget About Outdoor Lines
Make sure that you prepare any outdoor plumbing lines and fixtures prior to the start of winter. This includes any hoses, spigots, or drains that you have. Drain all the water from your outdoor fixtures. Turn off the main water supply to these areas so no water is getting inside your pipes. You may also want to leave the fixtures open slightly to prevent a buildup of pressure in the lines.
Consider Backup Power
If the power goes out in your home, this can impede your ability to keep your plumbing system from freezing. Consider investing in a whole-house generator that can supply you with power despite a local outage. You can continue running your heating system with your generator or even power space heaters to direct heat to your pipes.
If you would like assistance with preventing frozen pipes this winter, reach out to our team here at Bone Heating & Cooling. We also offer heating and cooling equipment installation and maintenance, emergency repairs, water heater services, ductwork assistance, and sheet metal fabrication. Contact us at Bone Heating & Cooling to schedule an appointment in the Festus vicinity today.
