Prevent Plumbing Pipes From Freezing in Your Lafayette Home

The coldest time of the year in Lafayette brings extremely low temperatures, making your home’s plumbing system more susceptible to issues. Prolonged snowfall also increases the risk of your pipes freezing.

If your home’s plumbing system is not winterized properly, you may end up with more than one frozen pipe. If those pipes burst, it will mean flooding, structural damage, and a lot of money out of your pocket.

You can take a few simple steps to protect your plumbing system through winter. The best news is that it won’t cost a lot.

Winterize your home before the cold hits. Book a pipe inspection with Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling today. Get a FREE plumbing service call with a paid service. (Limited time offer).

Why You Should Winterize Your Plumbing

Many homeowners believe winterizing their homes and pipes is unnecessary because there is no guarantee that the winter season will be harsh. The problem is that they often do not consider how unpredictable winter weather can be.

There is no way to know whether a polar vortex will bring Arctic air across the U.S. If it does, it means bitterly cold temperatures. If a house remains unprotected during this time, it is all but a given that the pipes will freeze.

You will always be better off not gambling on the weather and being prepared instead. As they say, prevention is a whole lot better than cure.

How to Winterize Your Home Properly

Winterizing your home’s plumbing system is to protect it from the cold. When temperatures drop to freezing or below, the water in the pipes can freeze. When water freezes, it expands, creating pressure inside the pumps. The pipe will likely burst if there is no way to relieve the pressure.

You can prevent this by keeping your pipes and your home warm during winter:

• Insulate vulnerable pipes and colder spaces in your home. The unheated spaces in your home will typically include the attic, basement, and garage. Adding more insulation to these spaces and the pipes that run through them is important. In extremely cold weather, you can add extra protection by installing electric heat tape on the pipes. If there are drafts near pipes, look for holes, cracks, and gaps in the walls and ceiling. Seal these with spray foam or caulking.
• Set a consistent temperature throughout your home. Switching off the heating system when you are not home may be tempting. But, if you turn off the heat, the temperature will quickly drop inside, which could result in frozen pipes. Leave the thermostat on and set it above 55°F, even if you are not home. Open your kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors so the heat can reach the pipes below. If you are not leaving the house, ensure your garage doors are always closed, especially if the pipes inside are exposed.

Your winterizing efforts should extend to outdoor plumbing as well. Disconnect garden hoses and drain the excess water. Shut off sprinklers and pool supply lines. Cover your outdoor faucets and spigots with insulated sleeves. If possible, replace old faucets with frost-proof models. These strategies can help prevent outdoor pipes and lines from freezing and causing damage.

Inspecting your property regularly to fix leaks before winter sets in is also important. Service your water heater so you are not without hot water in the cold. A licensed plumber should do all inspections. This is the only way to identify and fix all potential issues.

What to Do If a Pipe Freezes

A pipe may still freeze, regardless of your efforts. If there is no water when you open a faucet or you hear strange sounds from the drain, it may mean a pipe has frozen.

Find the section of the pipe that has frozen and warm it slowly using a hair dryer or heating pad. Never heat the pipe if the faucet is still closed. If you cannot open the faucet, ask a plumber for assistance. If you heat the pipe and the faucet stays closed, it may cause a burst.

If you can open the faucet but the hair dryer and heating pad do not work, wrap heat tape around the pipe. Keep open flames far away from the pipe and your home, as it can quickly become a fire hazard.

If the pipe still does not thaw, call a plumber. A licensed professional has the experience and expertise to thaw frozen pipes and prevent them from bursting.

Why You Should Choose Professional Help

The last thing you want to deal with during winter is a burst pipe, water damage, and expensive repairs. Preventive maintenance, such as winterizing your home, can help prevent this. It is also best to winterize your home as soon as possible in case an early winter storm hits.

If you are unsure or have never winterized your home, it is best to ask a professional plumber to help you. Plumbers are trained to assess plumbing systems and apply techniques to best protect pipes during the cold. They also know which techniques are most suited to various climates in the U.S.

Summers PHC Is the Professional Plumbing Company Your Lafayette Home Needs

Preventing frozen pipes is a major part of winter home maintenance in Lafayette, Indiana. Summers Plumbing Heating & Cooling offers reliable services to help you prepare your home and plumbing system for extreme cold. We are here to help you protect your investment.

Book a service, inspection, or maintenance appointment and enjoy our incredible local specials.  Call us at 765-310-3076 for more information or book a service online.