Water Pipes on Outside of House: Preventing Freezing and Damage

Exposing your water pipes to freezing temperatures can be a recipe for disaster. Water expands when it freezes, which can cause pipes to burst and lead to costly repairs.

Pipes located in unheated areas like garages, crawl spaces, and outside walls are more susceptible to freezing. This is because they're not protected from the cold temperatures.

To prevent freezing, consider insulating exposed pipes with foam pipe insulation or heat tape. These materials can help keep the water inside the pipes from freezing and bursting.

If you live in an area with extremely cold winters, consider installing freeze-proof faucets or frost-proof spigots. These specialized faucets are designed to prevent water from freezing inside the pipes.

You can protect your water pipes from freezing temperatures by taking a few simple precautions. Remove and drain all your garden hoses before the first winter freeze to prevent them from splitting.

Shutting off the water supply to outdoor faucets is a must, especially if there's no indoor shutoff valve. Installing a freeze-proof faucet is a great idea, and it may even be a requirement by your local codes.

If you can't turn off the water supply, occasionally take off the covers and run the water periodically to ensure it's still running freely. Reattach the covers securely when you're finished.

Exposed exterior plumbing is especially at risk in cold winter months. You can protect pipes in garages, attics, and exterior walls with specific products like pipe sleeves, heat tape, and heat cables.

Pipes that run along exterior walls are at a greater risk of freezing and bursting. Insulate these pipes with foam covers or install exterior faucets that cut off water supply from the interior of the foundation walls for extra protection.

To determine if you have frozen pipes, flush the toilet or turn on a faucet to see if water comes out. If it doesn't, you may have an ice blockage and should turn off your water source right away.

Here are some products you can use to protect your water pipes:

A hard foam faucet cover is a simple way to protect outdoor faucets from freezing temperatures. Install it by detaching your hose, placing the rubber loop around the spigot, and tightening the slide lock.

Harsh winters can be brutal on your home's exterior pipes, but there are ways to protect them from freezing and bursting. Choosing the right insulation material is key, and it depends on your climate severity and pipe accessibility.

For regions with harsh winters, heat tape or heat cables offer active heating to keep pipes from freezing. These electrical elements generate heat to prevent freezing and are preferred in extreme cold.

In less extreme conditions, self-sealing foam or foam-and-foil insulation provides effective passive protection. They offer thermal resistance and are easy to install.

Fiberglass insulation is ideal for maintaining higher temperatures, while rubber insulation is suited for its moisture and UV resistance, particularly in outdoor settings.

Some insulation materials, like foam sleeves or rubber tape, are easy to apply by wrapping them around the pipe. Heat tape, on the other hand, requires following the manufacturer's instructions.

To ensure effective insulation, avoid compressing the insulation material, as this can reduce its effectiveness. Make sure the insulation is snug against the pipe with no gaps, and use duct tape or cable ties to secure it if necessary.

It's also essential to check the insulation periodically, especially after severe weather, to ensure it remains intact and effective.

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

Insulation and Protection Materials are key to preventing water pipes on the outside of your house from freezing and bursting. You can use various materials to insulate and protect your pipes, including foam pipe sleeves, foam-and-foil pipe insulation, and fiberglass pipe insulation.

Foam pipe sleeves are a low-cost and quick way to add freeze protection to long expanses of external pipes. They come in various diameters to fit different pipe sizes.

Some popular insulation materials include foam caulk rope, insulation of choice (pipe sleeve, pipe-wrap, outdoor faucet cover), and duct tape.

To install insulation, consider using expanding spray foam, foam caulk rope, or foam pipe sleeves. You can also use foam-and-foil pipe insulation, which combines foam's thermal resistance with foil's heat-reflective properties.

Self-sealing foam insulation, made from polyethylene, features an adhesive strip for easy installation. This design ensures a tight fit around pipes, greatly simplifying installation.

Fiberglass insulation, made from woven fine glass strands, is highly regarded for its excellent thermal resistance. However, installing fiberglass insulation requires caution and protective gear due to the irritating nature of glass fibers.

Here are some common materials you may need to complete your pipe insulation project:

Insulating water pipes is crucial, especially for those on the outside of your house. You'll want to consider insulating pipes in unheated spaces like exterior walls, basements, attics, or crawl spaces.

It's not just about outdoor pipes, though - any pipe in your home that's not well insulated and in an unheated space is at risk. This includes both hot- and cold-water pipes. In fact, insulating both types of pipes can help prevent freezing and also conserve water-heating energy.

Pipe jacketing is a good option for protecting pipes, and it comes in standard lengths that can be cut and secured with electric tape. Ordinary insulation, cut in strips and bundled around pipes, works equally well, although it may take more effort.

You might assume that only outdoor water pipes need insulation, but that's only partially true. Any pipe in your home that's not well insulated and is in an unheated space like an exterior wall, basement, attic, or crawl space is at risk.

Pipes in unheated areas can freeze in low temperatures, but they can also be subject to high temperatures, especially in areas like Phoenix, AZ, where the heat can be extreme.

Insulating both hot- and cold-water pipes can help you realize the benefits of insulation, which include saving energy and conserving water-heating energy.

When protecting outdoor pipes from freezing temperatures, the right type of insulation is crucial.

Foam insulation is a popular option for outdoor pipes due to its effectiveness in extreme cold temperatures.

Fiberglass insulation is another option, offering a cost-effective solution for protecting pipes from freezing.

Polyethylene insulation is a great choice for pipes exposed to harsh weather conditions, providing a durable and long-lasting solution.

Rubber sleeves are also a viable option, offering flexibility and ease of installation for outdoor pipes.

Pipe insulation options range from foam and fiberglass to polyethylene and rubber sleeves, catering to different environmental conditions and plumbing setups.