As the winter solstice quickly approaches, now is the prime time to prepare your home for the coldest temperatures of the year. In addition to cutting firewood and checking on your furnace, you’ll need to turn your attention to pipe thawing. Whether you’re staying home or getting out of town for the holidays, the functionality of your plumbing system is crucial to the safety and comfort of your home. Use the following answers to these frequently asked questions to prevent the worst.

FAQ About Pipe Thawing in the Winter

I’m leaving town for the winter. Is there anything I should do for my sewer or water system?

If you’re planning on being away from home, you’ll want to take extreme precautions against freezing temperatures because you won’t be there to see flooding or backflow occur. In this case, hire a plumbing professional to pump your septic tank. Before you leave home, set your thermostat to no lower than 55 degrees, and wrap exposed pipes and plumbing parts. If you don’t have heat, you’ll need to have the water lines and boilers blown dry or filled with glycol, which is a specific form of antifreeze. 

Should I let my faucet drip, so the pipe doesn’t freeze?

Instead of using this quick fix, heat tape your water lines that aren’t being used. However, in most cases, the plumbing will be buried far enough underground that you won’t have to leave faucets on a steady drip. Dripping could cause the sewer line to freeze because the flow of water is too minimal to stay in liquid form. The ice will gradually build up while you’re away, freezing the pipe and blocking passage to the septic tank.

Should I ask someone to flush my toilet once a day while I’m gone?

Usually, this attempt at pipe thawing works just like the faucet drip—it’s not enough of a flow to keep the water in liquid form and will not stop freezing. Instead, ask a friend or neighbor to come by and run a load of laundry each day or leave the plumbing alone.

What should I be doing right now to prepare for the cold?

If you’ve wrapped your plumbing system’s most sensitive parts in heat tape, switch it on or plug it in now, and make sure it’s working properly. If your home is connected to a municipal sewer, turn on your circulation pumps to prevent the system from freezing over. Finally, stick markers such as small flags near standpipes positioned low to the ground, so you can find them under the snow if an emergency arises.

If you’re looking for help with pipe thawing this seasons, turn to Bigfoot Pumping & Thawing of North Pole, AK. For over 25 years, they have provided regular plumbing maintenance to area residents, as well as emergency services for round-the-clock care. If you need help preparing for the frigid Alaskan winter, get in touch with their team at (907) 488-9855. You can also visit the website for more information.