Hot or Cold Water to Keep Pipes from Freezing and Prevent Damage

Pipes can freeze in temperatures as low as 25°F (-4°C), causing costly damage and disruptions to your daily routine.

Leaving a faucet slightly open can help to prevent pipes from freezing, as it allows water to drip slowly and relieve pressure.

The average household uses a significant amount of hot water, which can be a valuable resource to keep pipes from freezing.

Running hot water through your pipes can help to keep them from freezing, especially in areas where the water supply lines are exposed to cold temperatures.

Adding insulation to spaces like attics, basements, and crawl spaces can prevent pipes from freezing, even in areas with mild climates. This is a relatively inexpensive project that can protect your pipes.

Wrapping pipes in heat tape or heat cables with a thermostat control can help prevent freezing pipes in the long run. This is especially helpful for pipes in areas with harsh winters.

Replacing outdoor faucets with frost-proof options can be a more expensive but permanent solution for homes that usually experience frigid temperatures. Rerouting pipes away from cold spaces inside the home can also be a helpful option.

Adding supplemental heat, such as a space heater, to rooms where pipes might be at risk of freezing can help bring warmth to these areas without straining your thermostat. Placing a portable space heater in attics and basements can be an effective way to prevent pipe freezing.

Seal all air leaks to prevent icy blasts from reaching your pipes. This is especially important for pipes located next to outside walls or in unheated buildings like garages.

Water pipes in cabinets can be located against outside walls, even if they've been insulated. Consider leaving cabinet doors open to let the room's heat keep them from freezing.

You can protect pipes in crawl spaces by closing all air vents in the foundation wall. This will prevent cold air from reaching the pipes.

Here are some additional tips to help prevent pipes from freezing:

Pipes freeze when the water inside them turns to ice, causing the pipe to expand and potentially burst.

Water expands by about 9% as it freezes, which can exert a lot of pressure on the pipe.

This is more likely to happen if the water in the pipes is not allowed to drain completely before freezing temperatures set in.

If you have a history of frozen pipes, it's a good idea to consider installing freeze-proof faucets or frost-proof spigots.

These types of faucets have a special design that allows water to drain from the pipe before it can freeze.

In areas prone to freezing temperatures, it's essential to keep your pipes insulated to prevent them from freezing.

Insulation can be added to exposed pipes in unheated areas like the garage or basement.

Pipes in unheated areas are more susceptible to freezing because they are not protected by the warmth of the house.

Pipe protection is a top priority during cold weather. Seal all air leaks that may let an icy blast reach your pipes.

Water pipes located next to an outside wall are often subjected to sub-freezing temperatures. Any plumbing located in a garage or any other unheated building is susceptible to low temperatures.

To keep your pipes safe, consider wrapping them in insulation or using devices like heat tape. This can be especially helpful for pipes in cabinets or crawl spaces.

If you plan an extended vacation during cold weather, call the Utility Billing Office to have the water turned off at the meter. This will give your pipes extra protection from freezing.

Here are some long-term pipe protection solutions:

Remember to keep the water meter box lid closed to prevent the meter from freezing. This is especially important if you live in an area prone to sub-freezing temperatures.