Frozen pipes are one of the most common plumbing emergencies in winter. An unusually cold night can freeze the water in your pipes, and as the water expands to ice, it will burst the pipe. Follow the winterizing checklist below with your plumber to keep your pipes at a safe temperature throughout the upcoming season.

What Is on a Plumber’s Winterizing Checklist?

1. Insulate Exposed Pipes

The exposed pipes – the ones outside of your walls or not buried underground – are the most at risk for freezing because they are fully exposed to outdoor temperatures. Regulate their temperature by wrapping them in pipe insulation or heat tape. These pipes are typically in the attic, crawl space, and garage.

2. Keep the Heat On

Your home’s heat will protect the plumbing from the exterior temperatures. Even if you are leaving for a long time, keep the thermostat at around 55 degrees so the heat will kick on when it’s particularly cold. Consider adding a space heater to unheated spaces, such as the attic or basement, to use during cold spells.

3. Leave a Drip

Keeping water moving through the system will prevent it from freezing. If you’re leaving town or know that a cold spell is coming, barely turn on both the cold and hot water taps until every faucet in the home starts to drip. If you’re home, you can wait to run your dishwasher or washing machine until nighttime when temperatures are lowest.

4. Empty Exterior Plumbing

Your exterior plumbing will get the worst of the cold. Either disconnect or drain all garden hoses and sprinkler systems. Shut off the water supply for the swimming pool. Install spigot covers; these have a hard-plastic shell and will insulate the exposed faucets or spigots.

5. Install an Electric Heat Cable

If you want to invest in a more long-term solution to prevent frozen pipes, have your plumber install an electric heat cable. This cable wraps around your plumbing and will only turn on when the temperature drops below a predetermined point.

 

The plumber at Putman Plumbing will help you winterize your pipes in Cookeville, Algood, and Baxter, TN. They use the latest technology in the industry for the most cost-effective, durable, and reliable solutions. If you do get a copper pipe leak, their emergency plumber is available around the clock. Learn more about their services online and call (931) 520-3569 to schedule a service appointment.