Preventative Maintenance - Preventing Frozen Plumbing Pipes

Over a quarter-million families have their lives disrupted each winter because of frozen water line pipes.  In colder climates like here in North Georgia, frigid nights can quickly turn into a home maintenance nightmare with a series of inconvenient and extremely expensive water pipe breaks.


Quick drops in temperature, poor insulation and low set thermostats are the three main reasons for frozen pipes.  Both CPVC (plastic) and copper water lines can burst when they freeze, and recovering from frozen water lines is not as simple as calling a plumber.  An eight inch crack in a plumbing water line pipe can discharge over 250 gallons of water a day, causing flooding, potential for mold and serious structural damage.

By taking a few simple precautions, you can help save yourself the mess, money, and aggravation frozen pipes cause.

Before The Weather Turns Cold

You can prepare for winter by protecting your home from temperature drops while the weather is still warm.

• Insulate pipes in your home's crawl spaces and attic, even if you live in a climate where freezing is uncommon.  Exposed pipes are most susceptible to freezing.  Remember:  The more insulation you use, the better protected your pipes will be.
• Heat tape or thermostatically controlled heat cables can be used to wrap pipes.  Closely follow all manufacturers' installation and operation instructions.
• Seal leaks that allow cold air inside near where pipes are located.  
• Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents, and pipes, and use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out.  With severe cold, even a tiny opening can let in enough cold air to cause a pipe to freeze.
• Before winter hits, disconnect garden hoses and, if possible, use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets.  This reduces the chance of freezing in the short span of pipe just inside the house.

Once The Temperature Drops

Even if you’ve taken the right preventative steps, extreme weather conditions can still harm your pipes.  Here are a few more steps you can take:

• A trickle of hot and cold water might be all it takes to keep your pipes from freezing.  Let warm water drip overnight, preferably from a faucet on an outside wall.
• Keep your thermostat set at the same temperature during both day and night.  You might be in the habit of turning down the heat when you’re asleep, but further drops in the temperature – more common overnight – could catch you off guard and freeze your pipes.
• Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to un-insulated pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls.

Before You Leave

Traveling in the winter months might be good for the soul, but don’t forget to think about your pipes before you leave.  What can you do?

• Set the thermostat in your house no lower than 55°F (12°C).
• Ask a friend or neighbor to check your house daily to make sure it's warm enough to prevent freezing.
• Shut off and drain the water system.  Be aware that if you have a fire protection sprinkler system in your house, it may be deactivated when you shut off the water.

If Your Pipes Do Freeze

What do you do if your pipes still freeze, despite your best preventative measures?  First step:  Don’t panic.  Just because they’re frozen doesn’t mean they’ve already burst.  Here’s what you can do:

• If you turn on your faucets and nothing comes out, leave the faucets turned on and call a plumber.
• Do not use electrical appliances in areas of standing water:  You could be harmed from electrical shock or worse, electrocuted.
• Never try to thaw a pipe with a torch or other open flame because it could cause a fire hazard.  Water damage is preferable to burning down your house!
• You may be able to thaw a frozen pipe with the warm air from a hair dryer. Start by warming the pipe as close to the faucet as possible, working toward the coldest section of pipe.
• If your water pipes have already burst, turn off the water at the main shutoff valve in the house; leave the water faucets turned on.  Make sure everyone in your family knows where the water shutoff valve is and how to open and close it.

If you are not certain if your emergency shut-off valves work or cannot locate a shut-off valve, call the plumbing pros at My Georgia Plumber.  We can replace failing shut-off valves, install shut-offs in more convenient locations or locate your emergency shut-off valves for you. We also offer full winterization services. Call us today at My Georgia Plumber (770) 592-0081 or online for service.