How to Protect Exposed Water Pipes
Whether you live where snow and frigid temperatures are the norm or in climates where cold snaps are rare, winter brings the threat of frozen water pipes. While going without running water for a few hours is inconvenient, repairing the damage from broken water pipes is almost always expensive. You can avoid the hassle and cost of frozen pipes by taking steps to protect them. If you have easy access to your plumbing, most of the steps will be simple. But even if you have to hire a plumber to carry them out, the resulting peace of mind will be well worth the price. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Expanding foam
- Fiberglass insulation
- Foam sleeves
- Tape
- Utility scissors or knife
- Rigid foam insulation panels
- Hose bib insulator
- Electric heat tape
- Duct tape
Instructions
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1
Stop drafts from reaching exposed water pipes. Seal cracks near the plumbing with expanding foam or fiberglass insulation, paying special attention to areas where pipes and cables enter the building.
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2
Insulate all water pipes with foam sleeves. Measure the diameter of your pipes and purchase the correct sizes. To apply a sleeve, open the slit and slip it over the pipe. Seal the opening with tape. Some sleeves offer a self-adhesive opening, which simplifies the process. Where two sleeves meet at a bend in the pipe, create a mitered corner by cutting one end of each sleeve at an angle. Seal the bend well.
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3
Cover outside walls that have water pipes running next to them by sliding panels of rigid foam insulation behind the pipes. The width of the space between the wall and the plumbing will dictate the thickness of the foam panels.
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4
Install a shut-off valve on each pipe supplying an exterior faucet. Before cold weather arrives, drain the faucets and shut off the valve for the winter. If you do not have a shut-off on those pipes, place a specially designed hose bib insulator over each outside faucet. Hose bib insulators are available at most hardware stores and garden centers.
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5
Turn the faucets to a bit more than a drip in several areas in your home during very cold weather. Moving water freezes more slowly than water that's just sitting in the pipes.
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6
Open the doors of cabinets where pipes are located. Heated air from the room can help prevent them from freezing.
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Wrap heat tape around any pipes that have frozen in the past and pipes that enter the house through the wall. Buy only UL-listed heat tape and do not overlap any portion of the tape when installing them. Some heat tapes on the market as of 2011 are designed to heat only when the temperature drops below 45 degrees.
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8
If the furnace goes out or a building will be empty for a time, drain the pipes and shut off the water supply.
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Tips & Warnings
If your pipes freeze every winter, consider hiring a plumber to route them through warmer areas in your home.
A bread knife works well for cutting foam sleeves.
Do not seal foam sleeves with masking tape as it becomes brittle and loses adhesion quickly.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
