With winter temperatures dropping to record lows this season, the pipes in your home have never been more vulnerable. Repeated days of frigid weather can cause them to freeze and crack, eventually leading to expensive leaks that require professional plumbing repairs. Below is a crash course in winterization to ensure your home is protected against the cold.

Why Do Pipes Freeze & Break?

When your pipes get too cold, they freeze over, leaving them more brittle than usual. If there is water present inside your pipes when they freeze, the ice will expand along the interior. The pipe will rupture after sufficient pressure.

How Can I Keep My Plumbing From Bursting?

The best way to avoid frozen pipes is to keep them warm. This can be achieved by building plumbing within the interior walls of your home. For pipes that must be placed inside a wall on your home’s exterior, contractors can position them between a warmer room and your home’s insulation. While the pipes will still get cold, the insulation should be enough to keep them above the freezing point.

You can also insulate the pipes directly. This protects your pipes both from water freezing on the inside and any cold air blowing directly on the exterior. While not foolproof, this technique limits the vulnerability your pipes experience during a chilly winter season.

Lastly, you can avoid plumbing repairs by relieving pressure on the inside and outside of the freezing pipe. For example, you can “winterize” your outdoor faucets by turning off an inside valve along the same plumbing line. Then, go back outside and open the outdoor tap. Draining the line, even if it’s only for a few moments, will allow for additional air between the faucet and the freezing water inside. This added air volume can balance out the pressure from the expanding ice, thus protecting the integrity of your plumbing system.

Do you need a plumbing repair expert to help guide you through the winterization process? Turn to Do It Right Plumbing Sewer & Drain Services in Minneapolis, MN. Their team of licensed plumbers is dedicated to helping home and business owners throughout the Twin Cities keep their plumbing systems flowing. To schedule an appointment, call (612) 388-8524 today. You can also visit their website for more information about their plumbing repair solutions, drain cleaning, and water heater services.