Tips to Help Prevent Your Pipes from Bursting this Winter

Last updated 4 months ago

Now that winter is in full swing across the East Coast, it’s time to start paying special attention to the health of your pipes. Preparing your pipes for frigid winter weather is essential to preventing serious damage from bursting or freezing. Fortunately, keeping your pipes from freezing can actually be very simple. Here are some easy-to-follow tips to prevent frozen and burst pipes.

1. Insulate Your Pipes

Just as the insulation in your home helps to keep your living space warm, insulation around your pipes will keep them warm, too. Pipe insulation comes in many different styles, including basic fiberglass insulation and specialized pipe wraps. The warmer your pipes are, the less likely they are to burst. Talk to your local plumbing service to see which type of insulation will provide the best protection for your home’s plumbing.

2. Seal Leaks Around the Home

Air leaks around the home can help to encourage freezing, which increases the risk of pipe bursts in exposed plumbing. Use canned spray foam insulation to seal up small cracks and gaps in your basement, attic, and garage. This will keep cold air from coming into contact with your pipes, preventing bursts.

3. Let your Tap Drip

While dripping taps are typically a nuisance, they can be beneficial when trying to avoid burst pipes. Burst can occur when water pressure builds up between a frozen section of pipe and the faucet or spigot. By allowing faucets to run or drip slightly, excess water pressure can escape, which greatly reduces the chance of a burst.

For more tips on preventing pipe bursts and freezing, contact the residential, commercial, and industrial plumbing professionals at Allied/All-City, Inc. Visit us online or call (888) 834-7692 for 24-hour plumbing service throughout Nassau and Suffolk.