How to Avoid Frozen and Burst Pipes

When the temperature inside your home drops to the freezing point, the water in your pipes may freeze, leading the pipes to burst. Pipes are most likely to burst when the temperature drops to five° C or lower. Burst pipes leave a large and costly mess to clean up as well as the need for extensive plumbing repairs. Fortunately, you can protect your plumbing system from freezing by taking some proactive steps that require an hour or less of your time.

Follow these steps to avoid frozen pipes:

1. Apply thermostatic tape to the pipes and then apply duct tape over the thermostatic tape. Plug the thermostatic tape into the electrical receptacle.

2. Place foam insulation around all water pipes and secure with duct tape.

3. Open vents to blow hot air from the furnace to uninsulated pipes.

4. Insulate exterior walls with rigid foam boards to protect pipes from cold air.

5. Open cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes.

6. Open faucets connected to exposed pipes. This reduces the pressure within the pipe and reduces the risk of it bursting.

If your home is unoccupied, you will need to follow these instructions to protect the plumbing:

1. Begin by shutting off the water supply to your home. This valve is usually located by the water meter.

2. Shut off the power to the water heater and, if your home uses hot water heating, to your system in general.

3. Drain the hot water tank and turn on all faucets until the water stops flowing. Flush all toilets until the tanks are devoid of water. Disconnect water supply hoses from appliances.

4. Pour non-toxic propylene glycol-based antifreeze into all drains and the toilet tank. Flush the toilet to propel the solution into the plumbing system.

If you suspect that your home has a frozen water pipe, Titan Plumbing & Drain Services will thaw and repair it. Our Naperville plumbing repair service offers emergency assistance for any issue that customers might face.