Preventing Frozen Pipes – Trends to Watch – Tips that Help

California Dreaming. Our friends down South and West don’t seem to suffer the same malaise those of us up North do. Yes, we’re talking about winter. Don’t get us wrong. We love winter. The stark contrast to summer heat and light. The ability to get proficient at both surfing and snowboarding, etc.

But the plummeting temperatures do no favors to your plumbing system in your home. Especially the cold water lines that run throughout your house. Who remembers growing up having to leave a West bathroom sink dripping overnight in order to keep from freezing? Just me?

#1 Key Indicator to Predict Pipes Freezing

Here in the Midwest, watch the weather report for predicted days of temperatures below 10 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 3 days or more. Remember the polar vortex? If our region gets that kind of prolonged cold, you’re going to see frozen pipe bursts commonly happen.

Tips for Winterizing

1. Disconnect your garden hose. Sometimes, fall-preventative maintenance can sneak up on us. But, it’s never too late to unhook your garden hose. In winter, ice that forms inside the hose can freeze through to the spigot, make its way inside the pipe, and burst the pipe causing major damage.
2. Shut off the external water supply. If you’re lucky, your house might have a shut-off valve inside the house where you can drain the water from that section of pipe. You may also have an anti-siphon frost-free outdoor faucet. If not, have a plumber install one for you for worry-free trouble.
3. Insulate exposed valves and pipes. For that external spigot, you can put an insulated cover over it to help block wind exposure and create a layer of insulation from the cold. But don’t forget dead space areas of your home that do not receive ample heat. These areas include crawlspaces, underneath stairs, laundry rooms, storage rooms, water meter rooms, and screen rooms.

Living in the Midwest we are no strangers to cold weather. As the temperatures drop, issues with water can become apparent fast. If you are unsure whether your cold water system can withstand extended cold temperatures, you can trust the experienced technicians at Rocket Plumbing, they know the problem areas to look for and can provide solutions for a worry-free winter. Call us at (773) 299-1600 or send us an email.