How to Protect Water Pipes From Freezing Anywhere

If you have pipes on the north wall, crawl spaces, attics, under motor homes, in garages, it doesn't matter where you can prevent those pipes from freezing, by taking the following preventive measures....

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Heat tape
• Insulation
• Practical sense

1. The first step is to locate all your pipes throughout you house, crawl space, attic, garage, wells or anywhere you have water pipes. Add the total amount of feet that are potentially exposed to freezing conditions. Second you will have to determine the size of the pipe and count how many feet of the size you will need to insulate. Pipe sizes are located on the side of each pipe at one foot intervals.

2. 
    
   Electrical wrap for pipes

   Start wrapping from where your pipe enters your crawl space, basement, trailer, Rv, Cabin, any building. You must have electrical power so you may have to run an electrical cord to your starting point.

3. 
    
   Back of box that contains electrical wrap

   After you have wrapped all your pipes begin insulating them.
   
   Its as simple as that. Water needs to be warm, so keep it warm and it won't freeze.
   
   If you can't do these things or have them done for you then you will have to turn your water off and drain everything, to include toilets, p-traps, water heater and everything. This holds true especially for motor homes, travel trailers, and other items which contain water.
   
   I didn't discuss non-corrisive anti-freeze because that's not part of this article.

4. 
    
   Cap for outside wall hydrant

   You can protect the outside wall hydrants by using a cap like the one I I'm showing in the picture add some insulation around the hose bib.

Tips & Warnings

• During winter check to insure that your heat tape is working every week or more often in some situations. Make sure its warm to the touch.
• If you have pipes that may freeze because the temperature may drop way below your normal freeze point I would also suggest for that evening to let your cold water slowly run at the farthest point from the water main.
• I have a new book that's available on Amazon.com called "Flush Your Plumbing Troubles Down The Toilet" it will give you valuable information and cheaper that pizza for four but worth a lifetime of knowledge. Check it out...
• Don't forget to insulate and possibly heat tape pipes that froze in walls where they should not have been put in to begin with.