Hunting tower in harsh winter in the Lithuanian field

Winter is almost here and it’s time to start thinking about how to prepare for the freezing weather that is predicted for this year including when to purchase pipe covers.  Freezing pipes are a problem in warmer climates where they often run through un-insulated or under-insulated attics or crawl spaces. Leaving pipes unprotected can cause them to burst, which can result in a tremendous amount of damage to the home and the contents inside. Water pipes have the potential to freeze and burst when the outside temperature reaches 20 °F or below.

Pipes that are most vulnerable to freeze are usually exposed to severe cold, such as; outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, water sprinkler lines, water pipes in basements, water pipes in crawl spaces, water pipes in attics, water pipes in garages, and water pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation.

Here are a few tips how to prepare while the weather is warm:

• Drain water from the swimming pool and water sprinkler supply lines, following manufacturer’s or installer’s directions. Do not put antifreeze in these lines.
• Consider installing products made to insulate water pipes like a “pipe sleeve” or installing UL-listed “heat tape,” “heat cable,” or similar materials on exposed water pipes.
• Remove and drain outdoor hoses. Store in a shed or garage. Close inside valves supplying outdoor hose bibs if possible. Cover hose bibs with insulated covers.
• Look in the basement, crawl space, attic, garage, and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets for pipes.

What to do during freezing temperatures:

• Keep the garage door closed.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate around the plumbing.
• Keep the heating thermostat set at a consistent temperature both day and night.
• If going out of town during cold weather, set the thermostat to a temperature no lower than 55 °F, and open cabinet doors where there is plumbing.
• If you are going out of town and have a heat pump system, you may need to switch the setting to emergency heat and reduce the thermostat setting to 55 °F.
• If you suspect that the pipe is frozen; keep the faucet open.
• Inspect all other faucets in your home to find out if additional pipes are frozen. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze also.

New Braunfels Feed & Supply carries pipe covers. Cover you pipes today before the freezing weather comes. This will help to prevent your pipes from bursting, costing you a ton of money to fix.

To find out more, click here.