As the temperature outside drops, Greer CPW urges you to ensure your home stays protected against the frigid weather. Due to the construction methods that houses in our area are built, water pipes in houses in southern climate often are more vulnerable to unusually cold weather. The pipes are more likely to be located in unprotected areas outside of the building insulation, such as attics and crawl spaces. Especially if these areas have open vents or cracks that allow cold outside air to flow across the pipes, these pipes would be more likely to freeze in the winter time. To prevent winter weather from destroying the pipes of your home, Greer CPW would like to provide you with some helpful hints on how to protect your home against the cold.
- Insulate pipes in your home’s crawl spaces and attic. These exposed pipes are most susceptible to freezing. Remember - the more insulation you use, the better protected your pipes will be.
- Heat tape or thermostatically-controlled heat cables can be used to wrap pipes. Be sure to use products approved by an independent testing organization, such as Underwriters Laboratories Inc., and only for the use intended (exterior or interior). Closely follow all manufacturers’ installation and operation instructions.
- Consider closing foundation vents until temperatures exceed freezing, and seal leaks that allow cold air inside near where pipes are located. Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents and pipes. Use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out and the heat in. With severe cold, even a tiny opening can let in enough cold air to cause a pipe to freeze.
- Disconnect garden hoses and, if practical, use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This reduces the chance of freezing in the short span of pipe just inside the house. If your outside hose bib is not frost-free, then you will need to wrap the hose bib with newspapers or rags covered with plastic, fiberglass, or molded foam-insulating covers.
- If you are leaving for the night or for a few days, set the thermostat in your house no lower than 55°F (12°C). Ask a friend or neighbor to check your house daily to make sure it’s warm enough to prevent freezing or Shut off and drain the water system. Be aware that if you have a fire protection sprinkler system in your house, it will be deactivated when you shut off the water.
- As a last resort a trickle of hot and cold water might be all it takes to keep your pipes from freezing. Let warm water drip overnight, preferably from a faucet on an outside wall. This is a waste of water and is not a permanent fix. Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to un-insulated pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls.
If you turn on your faucets and nothing comes out, leave the faucets turned on and call a plumber. If you detect that your water pipes have frozen and burst, turn off the water at the main shut-off valve in the house; leave the water faucets turned on. (Make sure everyone in your family knows where the water shut-off valve is and how to open and close it.) Remember to never try to thaw a pipe with a torch or other open flame. Water damage is preferable to burning down your house. You may be able to thaw a frozen pipe with the warm air from a hair dryer. Start by warming the pipe as close to the faucet as possible, working toward the coldest section of pipe. Do not use electrical appliances in areas of standing water because you could be electrocuted.
Of course water can freeze at 32 °F if fully exposed, but partially or poorly protected pipes can also freeze when temperatures drop to 20 °F or less.
If you experience any problems, or have any questions, please call Greer CPW at (864) 848-5500.
