How to Prevent Frozen and Burst Pipes
When temperatures drop, the water inside your pipes can freeze, expand, and crack the pipe, sometimes leading to a burst that floods your home. It's one of winter's most preventable disasters if you take a few smart precautions. Whether you're bracing for a cold snap or heading out of town, here's how homeowners in Kent can protect their pipes.
Know Which Pipes Are at Risk
Not all pipes are equally vulnerable. The ones most likely to freeze run through unheated or poorly insulated areas such as basements, crawl spaces, attics, garages, and exterior walls.
Pipes on the exterior of your home, like outdoor faucets and sprinkler lines, are especially exposed. Knowing where your at-risk pipes are lets you focus your winterizing efforts where they matter most instead of guessing.
Insulate and Seal
Adding insulation is one of the most effective defenses. Foam pipe sleeves are inexpensive and easy to slip over exposed pipes in vulnerable areas. For pipes at high risk, heat tape or heat cable designed for the purpose adds extra protection.
Seal air leaks too. Cold drafts through gaps around pipes, vents, and foundation cracks can freeze a pipe even when the room seems warm enough. Caulk and insulation around these openings keep frigid air away from your plumbing.
Prepare for Cold Snaps
When a hard freeze is on the way, a few simple actions go a long way. Let a faucet fed by vulnerable pipes drip slightly; moving water is much less likely to freeze, and a trickle relieves pressure buildup.
Open cabinet doors under sinks so warm household air can reach the pipes, especially on exterior walls. Keep your thermostat set to a consistent temperature day and night rather than letting it drop steeply overnight. These small steps dramatically reduce the risk during the coldest hours.
Protect Outdoor Plumbing
Before winter arrives, disconnect and drain garden hoses, then shut off and drain outdoor faucets and any exposed supply lines. Water left in these fixtures freezes easily and can crack the pipe leading back into your home.
If you have an irrigation system, drain it according to the manufacturer's instructions or have it professionally winterized. Insulated covers for outdoor faucets add a final layer of protection for very little cost.
If a Pipe Freezes or Bursts
If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, a pipe may be frozen. Keep the faucet open, and gently warm the affected section with a hair dryer, warm towels, or a space heater kept a safe distance away. Never use an open flame.
If a pipe bursts, shut off your main water supply immediately to limit the damage, then call a plumber. Knowing where your main shutoff valve is located before an emergency happens can save you from a much bigger mess.
A little winter preparation can spare you the cost and stress of a burst pipe and the water damage that follows. If you'd like help winterizing your plumbing or you're facing a frozen pipe, Plumber Kent serves homeowners across Kent, WA. Call (253) 244-6337 for fast help and a free estimate.