Tips to Prevent Your Pipes from Freezing

It is finally December and it feels like this year has flown by. We here at Metro-Flow Plumbing have kept busy throughout this year and are ecstatic you keep coming back to learn more about plumbing in Dallas. In today’s blog we are going to explore and learn about pipes freezing but most importantly, how to prevent them. As temperatures drop through the late fall and winter months in certain areas, a good idea as homeowners is to be proactive and prepare your home for the harsher weather conditions. Preventing pipes from freezing will not only save you a headache but also save you money in the long run.

Below we have compiled a short list of tips and tricks to help you to keep your pipes from freezing but also to keep your home safe and cozy during the winter months. Also, please be sure to check out our brand new website while you are here to check out all the services we provide. With Metro-Flow Plumbing’s team of certified and insured professional plumbing technicians by your side, your home will be kept in tip top shape so it can weather any storm mother nature will throw at it.

1. Thermostats. Not constantly fooling around with them and keeping them at the same temperature will make the air conditioning system operate its best. A constant air conditioning temperature will assure that your pipes get acclimated to the temperature inside your home.
2. Kitchen and bathroom sinks. Open the cabinet doors below your kitchen and bathroom sinks. The warmer air circulating will help the pipes stay at room temperature and prevent them from freezing, expanding and bursting from being in an enclosed, dark environment. Pipes inside walls should be fine due to insulation but the exposed pipes under your sinks will freeze in extreme cold temperatures if not prepared.
3. Air Leaks. The rubber seal on windows can deteriorate over time allowing for cold air to come in. A quick inspection of your windows could save you money down the road as the cold air sneaking in will have your heating system working overtime. Look out for cracks as small as the width of a nickel, if the gap is around the frame some caulk will fix it right up. Keeping your home guarded from the elements outside is key.
4. Exterior faucets and hoses. Turn off exterior faucets and drain the water completely from any hoses you might have outside. Water that remains in the pipes and/or hose will freeze and expand causing it to break. After you shut off the exterior faucet your hose is attached to, run your hose until water stops coming out to assure it has been completely drained.
5. Chimney. If you own a chimney and haven’t turned it on in a long time it might be a good idea to get it inspected before the long winters. If necessary get someone to clean it. This will prevent all sorts of problems but more importantly it’ll prevent carbon monoxide poisoning and chimney fires. Once inspected, get it cleaned if necessary and be sure to avoid any problems.
6. Let your faucets drip. Turn on and let your faucets drip just a bit overnight. The continuous flow of water, no matter how small, will prevent the water from freezing in place inside the pipes overnight.
7. Check your roof. Especially if it hasn’t been maintained in recent years. Missing shingles or wildlife crawling in could have exposed your home to the elements. Once inspected, be sure to fix any problems that may have been found so the harsh cold weather stays outside your home.
8. Fans in reverse mode. If you have power and have fans that have a reverse mode, switch it on a low setting to keep warm. As we know heat rises, which means the heat near the top of your room will be blown down at you. This is extra helpful in rooms with high ceilings and will keep your heating system from being on all day by recycling the warm air. Keep that heating bill low with this helpful tip.
9. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Check that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly. With no power, fires are go to’s for warmth. Undetected smoke or carbon monoxide can be deadly especially in the middle of the night. Buy some new batteries and replace them as needed to keep your family safe.
10. Trees around your property. Clear small branches from trees around your property. With strong enough winds these can break and fall on your property damaging it. Storms bring winds that will shake things up outside. Keep your windows in one piece and clear your home’s vicinity from any debris you might run into.
11. Home insurance. Review your home insurance coverage. There’s many different types of home insurance and you want to make sure you are covered on all bases. By following the steps above, it may prevent your home from experiencing extensive damage.

To summarize, it is better to be prepared than to go through the headache of fixing things that could have been preventable. Sometimes we even lose irreplaceable belongings in these things and we certainly do not want anyone to experience that. Frozen pipes can cause massive amounts of damage to an unexpecting home. Once they burst, massive amounts of water may pour out of them causing the inside of your home or apartment to flood. Please make sure to keep an eye on your local weather. Although we do not always experience harsh winters in Dallas, there is always a possibility for the worst to happen as our city found out not too long ago. Metro-Flow Plumbing was there helping out so we want everyone to be proactive just in case!

We invite you to review our article Why do Pipes Burst and What to do About Them.

As homeowners we want to protect our home’s from everything and anything that might come up. Whether it is weather or something else, be sure that we are only a phone call away for any of your plumbing needs. Call us at 214-328-7371 and we will be happy to walk you through the appropriate steps to get a service technician out to you. We look forward to putting your mind at ease and helping you with any plumbing needs that may arise after one of our plumbing inspections (if necessary).

We hope you found this blog helpful to keep your home’s pipes from freezing. Thank you for joining us for another blog entry and we just want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! We know this year flew by so let’s finish the year strong with more tips and tricks in our next blog!

Have a great December and we will see you next time right here for more plumbing tips and tricks Dallas!