How to Avoid Frozen Plumbing in Winter

If you’re in Chantilly, you can get by most of the year simply with giving your plumbing system a cursory check for leaks. But come winter, and you need to make sure that the pipes will not suffer damage in the subzero temperatures that will be setting in.

You can prevent your pipes from freezing with certain precautions

1. Well before the freeze, drain the water from swimming pools and supply lines to water sprinklers. Drain all hoses used outside and bring them in. Shut off all valves that supply water outdoors. But leave the outside valve open so that any water that remains inside can freeze without bursting the fixture.

2. Pipes in unheated areas of your house – such as in basements and attics – should be insulated. Remember that a hot water pipe that doesn’t have water flowing in it can freeze as well as cold water pipes. You can use pipe sleeves and heat tapes to insulate them. The tapes are used on joints and the sleeves are wrapped tightly around the pipes.

3. An alternative to tapes and sleeves is newspaper, which can do a good job of insulation.

What you can do when the weather gets cold

1. Close garage doors to protect water pipes in the garage.
2. Air bathroom and kitchen cabinets to warm the plumbing from time to time.
3. If the weather’s too cold, let water trickle slowly from exposed pipes. It can prevent freezing.
4. Keep a steady day and night temperature in your thermostat.
5. For vacation homes that will be empty in winter, leave the heat set at least at 55 degrees F.

How you can thaw frozen pipes

1. In case of a flood in your basement, it’s most likely because of a burst pipe. Call 911 after you shut off the valve.
2. If there’s no flooding, but your faucet only trickles, turn off the main valve. Look for the frozen area.
3. Use a heating pad or an electric hair dryer to warm the pipe section. Don’t use a blowtorch, or a flame device. Don’t let electrical heating devices come in contact with the water.
4. Leave the tap open while you unfreeze. As the water melts, it will trickle through the tap and melt the remaining ice.

If you find one pipe that has frozen, there may be others as well. But you may be able to avoid the hassles and replacement costs simply by taking preventive measures in advance to protect your plumbing. Chantilly VA winters can be bad for the plumbing, but only if you allow it to be.