how do you protect outside water pipes from freezing

How to Protect Outdoor Water Pipes from Freezing: How do You Winterize Outdoor Pipes?

• Put foam pipe sleeve onto the pipe, open it up, slide it onto your pipe
• Cut the sleeve to match the length of your pipe (if your pipe is shorter than your sleeve)
• Put extra foam aside for using on T joints, elbows, and faucets
• Seal up the whole seam of the foam sleeve with duct tape
• Seal up the ends of the foam sleeve with duct tape

Full Answer

How to keep outdoor water pipes from freezing?

Tom Fant, the president of Superior Plumbing in Norfolk, encourages people to cover their pipes and keep them warm when the weather drops ... they could burst and cause major damage to your walls. "Water damage is very bad, wood can rot, drywall has ...

Why it is important to protect water pipes from freezing?

Make sure to document your thermostat settings to determine the status of your heating system:

• Was the heat set to off?
• What was the temperature set at?
• Are the batteries to the thermostat dead (if your thermostat uses batteries)

How do you keep your water pipes from freezing?

PITTSBURGH — Freezing temperatures can pose risks within your home, particularly with your pipes. This week, Pennsylvania American Water phoned and emailed customers ... “That will help keep some of that heat in, keep your bill down,” Post said.

How to prevent indoor pipes from freezing?

Tips to prevent your indoor pipes from freezing and bursting.

1. Run Water. Water doesn't freeze as easily if it's running. ...
2. Keep the Heat Going. During the winter months, when it seems that your heater is running constantly, it can be tempting to save money by lowering the thermostat.
3. Insulate Pipes. Insulating pipes in unheated areas of your home can keep them from freezing. ...
4. Turn Off Water. ...

What to put on outside pipes to keep from freezing?

Prevent outdoor pipes from freezing by insulating outdoor hose bibs and water supply lines. Pipe insulation contains a slit that makes it easy to slide over water pipes and supply lines, and bib covers shield the spigot from winter weather.

How do you insulate water pipes outside?

2:203:46How to Insulate Hose Bibs and Exterior Pipes - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWrap. The pipe with the insulation. And peel back the plastic to expose the adhesive strip pinch theMoreWrap. The pipe with the insulation. And peel back the plastic to expose the adhesive strip pinch the seam together firmly to insure that the adhesive closes. The insulation.

What do you wrap around pipes to prevent freezing?

One of the best and most cost effective methods for preventing frozen water pipes is to wrap your pipes with insulation. This is a common method of protection in the parts of your house that aren't exposed to heat, such as an attic.

How cold does it have to be for pipes to freeze?

As a general rule, temperatures outside must drop to at least 20 degrees or lower to cause pipes to freeze. In northern climates, where the temperatures regularly fall below freezing, modern homes tend to be well insulated and water pipes are located on the inner parts of the house for extra protection.

What can I wrap my outside pipes with?

0:381:50How to protect your pipes from freezing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you don't have any tape just wrap it as good as you can if you have tape wrap that towel and getMoreIf you don't have any tape just wrap it as good as you can if you have tape wrap that towel and get some tape and wrap it around there.

What can I use to cover outside pipes?

0:341:34Covering Your Outdoor Faucet - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou could use a towel.MoreYou could use a towel.

What is the best pipe insulation for outside pipes?

For many residential plumbing applications a PE pipe insulation product like Tubolit® and Tundra® is the perfect option. Economical and easy to install, PE foam insulation will prevent pipes from freezing and keep hot pipes hot and cold pipes cold.

Should you wrap outside faucets?

Cover the exterior faucet with an insulated slip-on cover. This will prevent any remaining water from freezing. Exterior pipes should be wrapped with insulation tubing, which can be found at your local hardware store. Do not wrap your pipes with bath towels or newspaper!

Can you wrap pipes with plastic bags?

Wrap pipes with your material, then wrap that in a plastic bag, and secure it all with a rubber band. This system not only help keep the faucet and water pipe dry and warm, but the plastic bag and rubber band will keep the insulation material secure.

How long does it take for outside pipes to freeze?

six to eight hoursPipes can freeze in as little as six to eight hours, meaning they can freeze overnight. If the outside temperature is below 32 degrees F and your pipes are unprotected, your chances for a frozen pipe increase.

Should you drip hot or cold water to keep pipes from freezing?

Let water drip. A trickle of hot and cold water might be all it takes to keep your pipes from freezing. Let warm water drip overnight when temperatures are cold, preferably from a faucet on an outside wall.

When should I wrap my pipes?

Temperatures only need to drop to about 20° F for a few hours to put exposed pipes at risk. So, your best bet is to insulate your exposed pipes to keep that temperature well above the freezing point. This is just one quick tip, below we'll fully answer the question of how to prevent pipes from freezing.

How to insulate outdoor water pipes?

You can insulate your outdoor water pipes with polyethylene insulation applied to the pipes directly and by hand. It is best to insulate before col...

How to keep outdoor water pipes from freezing DIY?

How to keep outdoor water pipes from freezing DIY? You can easily insulate your water pipes by hand using insulation and a water 'drip.' It is also...

How much water should drip to keep pipes from freezing?

To keep your water pipes from freezing, the best method is to 'drip' water through them to keep the water supply consistent. It is best to only tur...

How to keep pipes from freezing?

To keep exterior pipes from freezing, protect them with polyethylene pipe insulation and duct tape. In your home, turn the heat on until the weather warms up and keep your cabinet doors open underneath your sink. Leave your sinks on so that a thin trickle of water comes out and keeps the pipes from freezing.

How to prevent pipes from freezing in kitchen?

To prevent exterior pipes from freezing, improve the air flow where the pipes enter into your home. Go to every sink in your home and open the cabinet doors.

What type of pipe is most likely to carry water?

Pipes that contain wires are typically silver and made of metal. Copper, PVC, or cast iron pipes are more likely to carry water. Tip: This process is best completed when it’s still warm out. If your pipes are already cold when you insulate them, the insulation will take a long time to warm the pipe up.

How to keep insulation from sliding off pipes?

Secure the insulation with duct tape or cable ties. To keep your insulation from sliding off of your pipes, use duct tape or cable ties. Wrap duct tape around the base of the insulation 4-5 times and pull it tight to keep the insulation in place.

How to keep water flowing through pipes?

To keep water moving through your pipes, turn the handle on each of your sinks and tub 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) to leave a trickle of cold water running at all times.

Can you cut pipe insulation?

Pipe insulation is precut so that it can wrap around the pipe easily. You can cut it to length with scissors if needed. For pipes that are protected from the elements, you can use an electrical heating tape—just wrap it around the pipes and plug it in to keep your pipes warm.

How to insulate a water heater?

Before the cold hits 1 Find the location of your water shut-off valve switch and be certain to test it often. 2 If you have automatic or manual sprinklers, be sure to turn them off and fully drain them. 3 Disconnect all hoses from outdoor faucets and turn the faucets off. 4 If there are pipes that are vulnerable to the cold you should insulate them before a freeze.

Can water pipes freeze in freezing weather?

There is a good chance that in freezing weather unprotected water pipes will become frozen. On the chance that this happens to you, you may only experience interrupted water service until the water thaws. You could also have a water line rupture and require plumbing repairs. This could even cause property damage if not found soon enough.

Where should water pipes be kept?

"Ideally, your water pipes should be kept in heated spaces only," says Summers. Although this is the best-case scenario, everyone's home layout is different. Generally, you'll want to watch out for any pipes in unheated or uninsulated areas, like your attic, basement, or crawl space. That said, in warmer climates, a basement may stay well above freezing year round, so gauge the temperature—and act accordingly. Any piping located in areas that could go below freezing should be "insulated with insulation sleeves or wrapping," says Summers, who adds that you can buy these wrappers at any local hardware store.

Why does water freeze in basement?

Why? Because when water freezes, it expands, which can cause pipes to burst—flooding your basement, ruining your drywall, and costing thousands of dollars in repairs.

Where is the water shut off valve located?

In most homes, the water shut-off valve is located near where the water pipes make their way into your home —often the kitchen, basement or downstairs bathroom (consult your property records if you're not sure). Claim your home and get tips on remodeling and design inspiration.

Can you open a bathroom sink to keep pipes warm?

And one easy way to do that is to open any bathroom or kitchen cabinet doors that house plumbing. No, it's not pretty leaving the space beneath your sink exposed , but the improved airflow keeps your pipes toastier than if they were shut.

Does running water through a pipe prevent freezing?

The Red Cross concurs that running water through the pipe—even at a trickle—helps prevent pipes from freezing. "So many homeowners fail to take this simple precaution," Summers says. "Letting cold water drip from the faucet helps relieve any pressure building from ice inside a pipe.".

Can you run water through a pipe?

Another pipe-saving tip: When temperatures drop to below freezing, let your faucets drip. Yes, this advice opposes almost everything else you know about water conservation, but it can save you big bucks on fixing that busted pipe. The Red Cross concurs that running water through the pipe—even at a trickle—helps prevent pipes from freezing. "So many homeowners fail to take this simple precaution," Summers says. "Letting cold water drip from the faucet helps relieve any pressure building from ice inside a pipe."

How to warm frozen pipe?

Warm the pipe by pouring boiling water onto the towels. Use a hair dryer to warm frozen pipe segments. Keep an eye on the outdoor faucet and watch for a trickle of water. Continue heating the pipe and bib until water pressure returns to normal.

What happens if a pipe freezes?

Sections impacted by freezing water can swell, crack, or burst, creating major water leaks when the water inside thaws. If leaks go undetected, burst pipe damage can be even worse. Water leaks inside walls can cause rotten wood or building materials and even mold growth.

What is pipe insulation?

Pipe insulation contains a slit that makes it easy to slide over water pipes and supply lines, and bib covers shield the spigot from winter weather. Insulate any exterior pipes that run through unheated areas, such as supply lines in basements, attics, or crawlspaces.

How to find frozen water lines?

Find which water pipes have frozen by opening taps throughout your home. If none of the taps are working, your main water line may be frozen. If some taps are frozen, locate the supply line that provides them with water. Using a drywall saw, cut a hole in the drywall to access the area around the pipe.

How to keep water from freezing in bib?

This step alleviates pressure, should water freeze in the line. Protect the bib with an insulative foam cover.

Can you prevent frozen pipes?

Fortunately, you can make changes today that may help you in preventing frozen pipes. Exterior faucets and pipes can be protected to prevent pipes from freezing all season long. However, if you do find yourself with a non-responsive tap and you suspect freezing pipes, we want you to know how to tackle the situation.

Can a hose spigot freeze?

One area especially prone to frozen water pipes is your outdoor garden hose spigot. When the weather dips below freezing, the water inside your hose can freeze, extend into the supply line that runs into your home, burst, and flood. Take these steps to protect outdoor pipes.