Freezing Pipes: How to Avoid a Winter Plumbing Disaster

If you live in a cold climate you already know that extreme cold can wreak havoc on your plumbing. When water freezes in the pipes, the water expands and the joints of the pipes (and even the pipes themselves) expand and break apart. When the water defrosts, your pipes break and, as the water thaws, it bursts forth and floods your landscaping, kitchen, or bathroom, possibly ruining your flooring and wall board. What measures can you take to avoid this unnecessary flooding and repair?

Keep your pipes well-insulated. Home stores sell special pipe insulation that is easy to wrap around pipes and keep the water warmer inside of them. You can insulate any pipes you can access, including those in attic spaces and under the house. Be sure to insulate landscape pipes as well. Those pipes are actually most vulnerable since they are outside. In most climates, this measure is sufficient.

For extra security, let water run during a particularly cold night. Running water has a lower freezing point than standing water. Consider the difference in temperatures it takes to freeze a lake versus a water fall. It is fairly unusual to see a waterfall frozen because running water has a lower freezing point. If a faucet in you home is running, particularly in a room that is extra cold, your pipes are less likely to freeze.

Keep your home warm. Obviously, a warmer room temperature will keep your pipes protected. It is when your room temperature reaches temperatures below freezing that you will have a problem. If you leave for vacation, keep your thermometer set to fifty degrees just to avoid the possibility of a plumbing disaster. (There are not many things worse than returning from a vacation to a flood that has ruined your flooring and dry wall.) Alternatively, turn your water off entirely at the main line and drain your pipes.

Your pipes are probably most vulnerable if you are in a more moderate climate and your home has not been protected. Surprise cold sprees are disasters for communities that have not prepared them for such low overnight temperatures. Find time in the spring or the summer to crawl around the attic and under the house, watch for spiders, and get your pipes insulated. During the next cold spell, you could save hundreds if not thousands of dollars in repair bills, not to mention the hassle that comes along with it.


Alexander V. Martin works with his favorite plumber Stockton, Salinas plumber, and Santa Maria plumber in central California.