How to Prevent Your Pipes from Bursting (Video)

Pipes and cold temperatures don’t mix. Cold temperatures pose a significant risk to the integrity of water lines and the consequences of a burst pipe can be financially devastating. Safeguarding your pipes, particularly in unheated areas like basements and attics, is crucial to avoid costly property damage. To ensure the safety and longevity of your plumbing system in the face of freezing weather, consider implementing the following strategies.

1. Explore Your Pipe Insulation Options: Investing in pipe insulation can be surprisingly affordable, with prices starting at just 50 cents per linear foot at your local hardware store. This small expense can provide invaluable protection against freezing temperatures.

2. Keep Garage Doors Closed: Preventing the cold from infiltrating your garage is essential in safeguarding your water supply lines, which may run through this space. By keeping your garage doors closed, you create an additional barrier against the chill.

3. Open Kitchen and Bathroom Cabinet Doors: Allowing warm air to circulate around your plumbing by keeping cabinet doors open in these areas can be a simple yet effective method of protection. This helps maintain a more consistent temperature in those spaces and mitigates the risk of frozen pipes.

4. Let Cold Water Drip from a Faucet: All it takes is a tiny, constant trickle of cold water from a faucet to prevent your pipes from freezing solid. This continuous flow keeps water moving and lowers the chances of a damaging freeze.

5. Maintain a Steady Thermostat Setting: While turning down the thermostat at night might save a few dollars on your energy bill, it’s advisable to keep it at a fixed temperature during cold spells. This ensures that your home’s interior remains warm enough to protect your water lines.

6. Consider Long-Term Insulation: To provide lasting protection for your water pipes, consider adding insulation to your attics, basements, and crawl spaces. Adequate insulation helps maintain a consistent temperature, reducing the risk of pipes freezing.

If you find yourself facing frozen or burst pipes, it’s important to act swiftly. Turn on the affected faucet and apply heat until the water pressure is fully restored. Remember that the effort and expenses required for preventive measures are a small price to pay compared to the potential cost of extensive pipe repairs and property damage. Protecting your pipes is an investment in the longevity and safety of your home.

For more information on protecting or repairing pipes, call the experts at Bird Dog Plumbing in Longview, TX.