How to Prevent Frozen Water Pipes

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By stlscientist
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Prevent Frozen Water Pipes

Cold weather can freeze water pipes causing costly damage to homes. Prepare for the winter cold by protecting your water pipes from freezing.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Step 1

If pipes are out in the open weather, provide a barrier from the cold by building a box or small cover over them. Insulate the interior of the box for added protection.
Step 2

Wrap water lines with heat tape in a spiral pattern leaving about 1-2 inches between the next spiral. The tape should not cover the pipe solid.
Step 3

Loosely, while completely covering, wrap the pipes with insulation. Secure the insulation in place with electrical tape. Do not apply the tape tightly, just securely.
Step 4

Purchasing a water heat rod will keep the water line from freezing above the frost line. This can be purchased at any home improvement store. Unlike the heat tape that only heats up when the temperatures are below 34F and the tape heats up to around the mid to high 40's, a heating rod gets around 90F and stays there as long as it's plugged into an electrical socket.

Tips & Warnings

Unplug heat tape and rods during warmer months to save on electricity.
Do it right and this will you do you every year. All you'll have to do is inspect it for repairs.
In the event your pipes do freeze, use warm heat, NOT FLAME! to unfreeze the pipes.
Shut off all water before unfreezing pipes.
Turn water back on and check for leaks.