How To Prevent Your Pipes From Freezing In This Ridiculously Cold Weather
As the weather continues to get colder this winter, it's important to take precautionary measures to protect your home from the bitter cold-and the problems it can cause. If your pipes freeze, for example, they could burst, potentially leading to costly water damage.
According to HomeAdvisor.com, you could end up paying anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000 in water damage cleanup and repair fees if a pipe bursts. Plus, you may also have to pay for insulation and heating needs in your home if the pipes freeze.
Michael Mccan, plumbing manager at Michael & Son Services in Alexandria, Virginia, told The Washington Post that the main reason pipes burst is usually temperature-related. "Any water line that goes below 32 degrees can freeze." Luckily, though, there are ways to protect your pipes from freezing.
Be aware of how old they are.
According to The Washington Post, older pipes are generally more prone to freezing. Richard McGarry, a certified home inspector in Florida told the outlet that PVC and copper pipes last roughly 50 to 70 years. PEX pipes last about 40 years, and because the tubing is flexible, it's less likely to expand and burst. If the pipes in your home are getting close to their expiration, you may want to hire a plumber to inspect them.
Don't turn the heat way down when you leave town.
Mccan recommends keeping the temperature of an unoccupied house above at least 60 degrees, as pipes freezing often occurs when people go on vacation and turn off the heat in the house. This causes the temperature inside to drop dramatically.
Add insulation to your home.
You may consider adding insulation to the attic or basement of your home, especially if they're not temperature-controlled. "The thicker the insulation, the more freeze-proof your pipes will be," Mccan told The Washington Post. Fiberglass insulation is "the gold standard," but it's pricey and requires professional installation. Everbilt's foam pipe insulation is a good DIY option, and you can get it for less than $4 per six feet from Home Depot.
Utilize water alarms.
Mccan suggests placing water alarms, which detect leaks and moisture, in areas of your home that are at risk of water damage. You could install them under sinks, near washing machines and toilets, and close to water heaters, for example.
You'll know you've got frozen pipes if you turn on the faucet and just a trickle of water comes out. Per The Washington Post, if that happens, but there's no water leaking, you should run warm water through the pipe in order to melt the ice. Or, you can wrap the pipe in a towel soaked in hot water.
If you can't thaw a frozen pipe on your own, or if it's cracked, leaking, or located behind a wall or ceiling, it's probably time to call a plumber. Good luck!
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