Protect Your Dayton Home’s Pipes This Winter

It snows in Dayton, Ohio, from November to March, with an average of 3.3 inches in February. Sometimes, the snow gets so thick that the city’s snow removal plan kicks into high gear. Essential employees work around the clock when there is a snow emergency (during a polar vortex).

You may be safe inside your home during this stressful time, but your house is still vulnerable to the cold. This is especially true when it comes to your plumbing system.

When winter brings below-freezing temperatures, it means pipes can freeze. All the pipes in your home can become frozen. Most at risk are those exposed or installed along unheated exterior walls.

Prevent vulnerable pipes from freezing during winter with a pipe inspection from Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling. Get a FREE plumbing service call with your paid service. (Limited time offer).

How to Prevent Metal or Plastic Pipes From Freezing

Water that turns into ice inside a pipe causes the pressure to rise towards the closed faucet. When there is no way to relieve this pressure, the pipe bursts. If you take measures to protect your pipes, especially those installed toward the interior of your home, you can potentially prevent this from happening.

There are several ways to prevent damage from a burst pipe. One way is to install pressure relief valves along plumbing pipes. These valves help release pressure inside the pipe, making it less likely to burst. Keep in mind that you need a plumber to help you install valves.

A strategy that is easy to DIY is adding insulation to exposed pipes. This will protect them from extreme cold. However, insulation alone will not prevent a pipe from bursting. You should combine insulation with a heat cable or tape for vulnerable pipes.

These products are installed around the pipe, and a thermostat is used to detect the temperature. The tape or cable will turn on and warm the pipe when necessary to prevent the water from freezing.

You should also add additional insulation to the colder areas in your home. These typically include garages, attics, and basements. You want these areas to hold heat more efficiently so the pipes do not get cold enough for the water to freeze.

Additionally, you must keep cold drafts out of your home. Expanding foam or caulk can seal gaps, cracks, and holes in exterior walls.

Reduce the Risk of Frozen Pipes

When the temperature drops to 20 below for more than six hours, the risk of frozen pipes is very high. If the weather is this cold in Dayton, you should:

• Open cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate the pipes.
• Keep your garage doors closed. Don’t leave them open for extended times when you leave or return to the house.
• Turn the thermostat up a few degrees higher to get warmer air in your house.
• Even if you leave your home for weeks, keep your thermostat at 55 degrees or higher.
• Do not close your faucets all the way. Allowing water to drip slowly from the faucets will keep the water moving and prevent it from freezing.

Remember to winterize your outdoor plumbing as well. Disconnect garden hoses and drain them. You should also use faucet covers to protect outdoor hose bibs and faucets.

Thawing a Frozen Pipe

If you open a cold water faucet and find low pressure or no water supply, the pipe may be frozen. If you also notice a leak, the pipe may have already burst. It is crucial to shut off the main water supply immediately. This will drain water away from your home and prevent further damage.

You can attempt to thaw the pipe on your own. But you must find the frozen section of the pipe first. Open the faucet before you heat the pipe so the ice can melt and run out.

One of the best ways to thaw a frozen pipe is to use an electric heating pad or heated towels. A space heater can also help, but be sure to place it at a safe distance.

Never use open flame heating devices such as propane heaters or torches. This can start a fire in your house.

Call a professional plumber for assistance if the pipe does not thaw or you notice cracks.

The Best Time to Prepare Your Pipes for Winter

If a frozen pipe bursts, your home can get flooded and sustain structural damage. This can also lead to mold and mildew, which poses a health risk to your family.

To prevent these scenarios, preparing and protecting your pipes starting in the fall is important. You may be able to wait longer, but it is not a good idea because winter weather is unpredictable.

It is also advised to upgrade to polyethylene pipes whenever you renovate your home. This will eliminate copper or PVC pipes, which are more prone to bursting.

Schedule routine plumbing maintenance during the warmer months as an additional safety measure. This will allow you to identify and fix pipe problems before they become major issues in winter.

Proactively protecting your plumbing system will prevent costly damage and give you peace of mind throughout winter.

Summers PHC Can Maintain and Protect Your Plumbing

For expert advice and professional plumbing services in Dayton, Ohio, you can trust Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling. Our team can assist you with maintenance, frozen pipe prevention, and emergency repairs.

Book an inspection or maintenance appointment today and make the most of our local specials. Contact us at 937-400-3920 or book a service online.