As temperatures drop in the winter, preventing your pipes from freezing is always best. With low thermostat settings in your house or poor insulation, the water in your pipes can freeze, putting pressure on your lines from the inside.
Frozen pipes can then crack or burst, leading to structural damage. Structural damages can result in hefty bills from the plumber, but you can easily avoid many of these issues. You can protect your pipes from freezing with a few basic adjustments, so they should last for years.
Frozen Pipes: What to Look For
Your garage, attic, or basement pipes are most at risk because those areas are typically unheated. However, pipes running throughout your house can freeze as well. Therefore, once temperatures drop, you should be aware of and prepare your pipes for the cold season. The “temperature alert threshold” is 20°F; when temperatures drop, ensure your lines are ready for another West Texas winter.
Here are just a few signs of frozen pipes we’ve seen here at Comfort Masters:
- Limited water pressure
- Frost on your outside pipes
- Odd odors from your faucets
- No water flow
- Strange sounds
- Leaking or water damage on ceiling or walls
Insulate Your Pipes
Pipe insulation helps keep your hot water warm and prevents your water from freezing in cold temperatures. Insulation also reduces plumbing noise, mold growth, and heat loss. In addition, your water will maintain heat by 2° – 4° hotter, which means you’re also conserving water and reducing energy use. It will just take less energy to heat your water.
To help maintain your pipe insulation:
- Disconnect any garden hoses
- Use caulking to seal any cracks in foundations near water pipes
- Adjust your thermostat to higher temperatures
- Open your cabinet doors
- Let a small amount of water drip from your faucets
Tips to Prevent Frozen Pipes
These quick tips should prepare you for freezing conditions as winter weather settles in.
- Adjust your thermostat to 70°F to allow warm air to circulate, keeping your pipes nice and toasty.
- Open your cabinets to let that warm air circulate, direct more heat to your pipes, and better prevent frozen pipes.
Next Step: Call for a Professional Consultation at Comfort Masters
If you experience frozen pipes, you will immediately contact a professional. Unfortunately, frozen pipes can quickly burst, becoming a much larger and more expensive problem. At Comfort Masters, we know you need emergency service and fast when a plumbing problem erupts. You can rely on our trained professionals to provide expert assistance, so contact Comfort Masters for all your plumbing needs!
