Learn how to keep your water flowing all winter & what to do if you have a frozen or burst pipe

When temperatures drop below freezing, an iced-up pipe (or pipes) can leave you with no running water. That could mean no drinking water, showers, laundry, dishes, and a big wrench in your cooking plans. But a burst pipe could make a bad situation even worse, flooding your home and sticking you with the bill for thousands in water damage. So, use the essential tips below to prevent your pipes from freezing and keep your winter sanctuary dry. 

Take These Key Precautionary Steps

With this small handful of preventive measures, you may be able to avoid the trouble of frozen pipes altogether. 

Check Your Weather Stripping 

Take a close look at the weather stripping on your windows, doors, and other exits to check for drafts. If you find any, either replace the weather strip, caulk it, or use a sealant to fix it. You could also invest in some draft stoppers for the bottoms of your doors. The more cold air that gets in, the more likely your pipes will be to freeze, so you want your home to be as weather-proof as possible.

Insulate Exposed Water Pipes

If there are any exposed water pipes running through your home, they’ll typically be along the outer walls, in the basement, or your garage. These are especially vulnerable because they’re not hidden in the walls, are often in unheated areas, and often uninsulated.

If you have exposed piping in or around your home, pick up some foam pipe sleeves or heat tape and add that layer of protection for the rest of the season. They’re super cheap, easy to install, and will be a massive help in keeping your pipes warm enough to survive the winter.

Disconnect Your Garden Hoses

You can knock this one out in a few minutes tops, and it’ll save you the headache of a frozen hose in the spring. Disconnect any garden hoses attached to your water supply, drain them, and stow them away. Also, close the valves inside your home that supply water to the outside hoses, and leave the outer valves that directly supply the hoses open to let any remaining water drain out.

Know Where Your Water Valve is & How to Use it

If you end up with a frozen or burst pipe, you’ll need to shut off the water supply to your home as quickly as possible, so it’s crucial to know where it is and what to do. You’ll most often find it near your water heater or laundry room, in the basement, on an outside wall, or in a box near the street. 

If you have a gate valve (circular handle), then turning it clockwise will shut off the water. If you have a ball valve (lever handle), you’ll need to turn the lever until it’s perpendicular to the water pipe.

Simple Tips to Prevent Your Pipes From Freezing & Bursting

If you’re dealing with a snowstorm, extreme temperatures, or you simply want to be extra cautious, use these tips to protect your pipes:

• Keep the thermostat at a steady temperature above 55 degrees Fahrenheit at all times. Letting the temperature drop at night may save you some money on your power bill, but it heightens the risk of your pipes freezing and potentially bursting.
• Open faucets in key areas (kitchen, bathrooms, laundry area, etc.) just enough to drip slowly and keep water moving through the pipes. Although super slow, the consistent flow will be enough to keep the water from freezing.
• Open any cabinets with water pipes inside (kitchen and bathroom cabinets, for example) to allow the heat in.
• If you have any water pipes running through your garage, keep your garage door closed as often as possible.

What to Do if a Pipe Freezes or Bursts

If you turn on one of your faucets and all you get is a slow drip, chances are you have a frozen pipe. The first thing to do is shut off the water supply to your home at the main valve. Then, you’ll want to move fast to thaw the pipe before it has a chance to burst, and you can use any of the following methods to get the job done. 

*But first, a quick note: Leave the faucet open while you work on the issue. That way, as you warm the pipe back up, the running water will help to melt the remaining ice.

• Wrap an electric heating pad around the pipe and turn it on high.
• Wet towels with warm water and wrap them around the pipe, replacing them regularly as they absorb the cold.
• Use an electric hair dryer set to “high” to warm the pipe back up.
• Set up a space heater near the pipe but far enough away from any fire hazards.

If you can’t find or access the frozen section of pipe, call a plumber to come take a look—the sooner, the better. 

Once you get the water flowing again, check the piping for any cracks. If you notice any leaks or pools of water, you’ve got a burst pipe and should get a plumber out to the house immediately. 

Water damage can lead to mold growth, weaken your home’s foundation, and create life-threatening electrical hazards, so the faster you get things taken care of, the safer you and your family will be.