How Can I Prevent Frozen Pipes This Winter?

Realizing your pipe has frozen isn’t always as easy as spotting frost or ice coating its exterior. If water isn’t flowing from your faucet anymore or if it’s emitting a strange odor, there’s a strong chance your pipes grew so cold that they froze.

If this is the case for you, the plumbers at Tom’s Mechanical Inc. will thaw your pipes and get your water flowing as soon as possible. Alternatively (and preferably), you can prevent frozen pipes from ever becoming an issue by implementing steps to protect your plumbing from the cold during the Arlington winter.

How to Keep Pipes From Freezing

• Proper Insulation: Insulating your pipes is one of the most effective prevention methods you can utilize against frozen pipes. Use foam pipe sleeves, heat tape or other insulation materials to cover exposed pipes, especially those in unheated areas like basements, attics and crawl spaces. Adequately insulating your home’s walls and floors can also help maintain your warm interior, reducing the risk of your pipes freezing.

• Use Pipe Heating Cables: Similarly, installing electric heating cables or heat tape you can control through your thermostat can help prevent freezing on vulnerable pipes.

• Seal Gaps and Cracks: Inspect your home for gaps and cracks in walls, floors and the foundation, as these can allow cold air to seep in. Seal them with caulking or weatherstripping to preserve your home’s warmth, especially during cold nights, to lower the chances of your pipes freezing.

• Let Faucets Drip: Although a dripping faucet can be a grating annoyance for many homeowners, that persistent drip can actually save your pipes from freezing. A slight, steady drip from faucets, especially those attached to your home’s exterior (e.g., hose bibs) that must contend with outside temperatures with little protection, can reduce the risk of stagnation and freezing.

• Open Cabinet Doors: Opening cabinet doors can allow warm air to circulate around the pipes in kitchens and bathrooms that are hidden in cabinets.

• Disconnect and Drain Outdoor Hoses: Before the worst of the Texas winter hits, disconnect and drain all outdoor hoses and close the shut-off valve to outdoor faucets to prevent the pipes that connect to your home’s exterior from freezing.

• Keep the Garage Door Closed: If there are water supply lines in your garage, keep the garage door closed as much as possible during the winter.

• Install Frost-Free Outdoor Faucets: You can also replace your outdoor hose bibs with frost-free versions, which are designed to drain water back into the house when not in use, thus limiting the risk of freezing.

• Have a Backup Power Source: The 2021 Texas power crisis is a stark reminder that winter weather in Texas can push the power grid to the brink of failure (or beyond it). That event, along with other winter outages, have led some Arlington homeowners to invest in generators or another backup power source.

• Be Prepared for Travel: Your pipes are most likely to freeze when you’re not home and not paying attention to them, which is why taking extra steps to preserve them while you’re away is essential. Draining your water system and setting your thermostat anywhere above 55 degrees ensures your pipes stay protected from frost without heating an empty house and costing you a fortune.

What to Do if Your Pipes Freeze

Burst pipes can result in big messes and expensive claims. Fast action is vital if you suspect you have frozen pipes in your home. First, determine which pipe is frozen, then keep the affected faucets open so the water can flow once the pipe thaws, relieving pressure and reducing the risk of a burst pipe. For minor freezing, you can generally heat the pipe using a hair dryer, heat lamp, electric heating pad or space heater.

However, in severe cases – such as if multiple pipes are frozen or if a pipe has burst – you should contact a professional Arlington plumber immediately. We will promptly dispatch someone to quickly contain the situation and minimize damage.

The plumbers at Tom’s Mechanical Inc. have the experience and equipment to safely thaw frozen pipes so you can promptly regain control of your faucets without worry.

Our Reliable Arlington Plumbing Experts Are Available 24/7 All Winter Long

At Tom’s Mechanical Inc., we’ve been thawing and maintaining pipes for Arlington homeowners since 1960. Our experienced plumbers are ready with 24/7 emergency services and work fast to repair pipes when issues arise. Call (817) 277-4493 for service or contact us online today.