How to Drain Water Pipes to Keep from Freezing This Winter

Draining your water pipes is a crucial step to prevent freezing this winter.

Exposing pipes in unheated areas like the garage, basement, or crawl space can lead to freezing and bursting.

Disconnecting outdoor hoses from outdoor faucets can help prevent water from entering the pipes and freezing.

Pipes are especially vulnerable to damage caused by expanding water, which is why they freeze in the first place.

The type of building construction plays a significant role in pipe freezing, as does the quality and quantity of insulation.

Several variables contribute to frozen pipes, including the decline in temperature, the direction and force of the wind, and other weather-related conditions.

Poor design and inadequate insulation can make buildings more susceptible to damage, while rust or corrosion weakens pipes, making leaks more likely to occur.

Pipes in unheated interior areas, such as basements, crawl spaces, attics, garages, and kitchen cabinets, are also at risk of freezing.

In warmer climates, buildings may not be adequately constructed for cold weather conditions, making pipes more prone to freezing.

A power outage can also lead to pipe freezing, as most heating systems depend on electricity to function.

Here are some common areas where pipes are susceptible to freezing:

To prevent pipes from freezing, you should drain water from swimming pool and water sprinkler supply lines, and thoroughly drain your plumbing system. If you have low spots in your water lines, use compressed air to blow them out.

Disconnect and store hoses used outdoors, and close inside valves supplying outdoor hose bibs. Open the outside hose bibs to allow water to drain, and keep the outside valve open so that any water remaining in the pipe can expand without causing the pipe to break.

Insulate both hot and cold water pipes in unheated areas, such as the basement, crawl space, attic, garage, and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets. You can use specific products like a "pipe sleeve" or UL-listed heat tape to insulate your pipes.

Here's a quick checklist to help you prepare for the cold weather:

Drain water from swimming pool and water sprinkler supply lines following the manufacturer's or installer's directions to prevent pipes from freezing.

You should also drain your plumbing system thoroughly, especially if water lines sag or bow, to ensure that all water is removed from the lines. This can be done by using compressed air to blow out the lines.

Disconnect, drain, and store hoses used outdoors, and close inside valves supplying outdoor hose bibs to prevent pipes from freezing.

Check your home's unheated areas, such as the basement, crawl space, attic, garage, and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets, where water supply lines are located. Insulate both hot and cold water pipes in these areas to help prevent freezing.

Allow a faucet in your home to drip slightly to help prevent pipes from freezing, as moving water will help prevent the pipes from freezing.

Some other tips to prevent freezing include keeping garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage, and opening kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing.

Here's a quick checklist to help you prevent pipes from freezing:

Frozen pipes can be a real nightmare. If the temperature outside drops below freezing, your pipes might be at risk of bursting.

Consumer Reports' senior home editor, Eric Hagerman, explains that if it happens to you, you should know what to do. If your pipes do burst, turn off the main water valve immediately to prevent further damage.

Frozen pipes can cause a lot of damage, including flooding and costly repairs. Eric Hagerman advises to know where your main water valve is located before the temperature drops, so you can turn it off quickly if needed.

A burst pipe can also cause water damage to your home's structure, walls, and floors.

Locating a frozen pipe can be a challenge, but it's essential to find it before you can start thawing. Turn on all faucets in your home to check which one isn't releasing water at all or just a trickle, indicating a frozen pipe.

Once you've located the frozen pipe, open the faucet leading to it and turn on both the hot and cold handles. This will allow water to flow once you start thawing the pipe.

Starting to thaw the pipe too close to the blockage can create more pressure and increase the chances of the pipe breaking. Instead, start thawing closer to the faucet and work your way down to the frozen section.

You can thaw exposed pipes using various methods, but if you have pipes that are enclosed, you'll need to use different techniques.

Pipes built within an outside wall can freeze when the wind-chill factor is well below zero and heat is not circulating through these areas.

Heat circulation is crucial to prevent pipes from freezing, especially in areas with poor insulation or exposed to harsh winds.

Make sure heat can circulate around pipes, especially in areas with outside walls, to prevent freezing.

Pipes in areas without proper heat circulation are more prone to freezing, so it's essential to ensure a steady flow of heat to these areas.

In cold weather, pipes near outside walls can freeze, so it's crucial to maintain heat circulation in these areas.

You can use space heaters to warm a room where pipes might be at risk, but be sure to plug them into a GFCI outlet and avoid using extension cords.

Snow emergencies can be a real hassle, but there are ways to avoid tickets. You can sign up for alerts to stay informed about snow emergencies in your area.

If you're unable to park on the street, municipal off-street parking lots are a good option. However, be aware that some streets may not alternate parking due to snow emergency parking exceptions.

Extreme cold temperatures can be a major safety concern, so it's essential to take precautions to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. This includes making sure your home's heating system is properly ventilated.

Preventing frozen water pipes requires some simple precautions. One of the most effective ways to do this is by allowing cold water to drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. You can also use heat tape or thermostatically controlled heat cables to keep pipes from freezing.

Here are some resources to help you stay safe and warm during the winter: