Tag Archives: prevent frozen pipes

Sep '24

Protecting Your Plumbing Pipes from Extreme Chicago Cold This Winter

Frozen and burst pipes are the number one winter plumbing issue for Chicago homeowners, according to Foothills company. During winter, the water inside your pipes can freeze and interrupt your home’s water supply. The freezing water may even burst your pipes, leaving you with a mess and costly repairs.

This problem is not limited to outdoor pipes. It can happen to pipes inside the house, even if they are minimally exposed to cold air. That is because of the extremely harsh nature of Chicago winters; Chicago is consistently ranked as one of the coldest American cities.

With winter temperatures regularly falling below 32°F, frozen pipes are problems for homes in this part of the USA. However, the good news is the problem can be avoided. Just because it is winter doesn’t mean you have to endure frozen and burst pipes in your home.

You can protect your pipes from winter if you take the following precautions before the onset of cold weather.

Protecting the pipes in your Chicago home from winter

Know the status of your plumbing

The age of your plumbing pipes and the pipe material play a huge role in whether your pipes will burst after they freeze. Older pipes are more vulnerable to winter temperatures. If the pipes in your home are near or past their expiration date, you should consider replacing them. If this is not possible right now, you should pay more attention to these vulnerable pipes.

Identify high-risk areas

Certain parts of your home’s plumbing are more likely to freeze than others. Areas highly susceptible to freezing winter temperatures include all unheated spaces inside your home. Pipes are located inside the basement and crawlspace. The attic, garage, and similar areas need more attention. That also applies to outdoor plumbing fixtures like hoses, faucets, irrigation systems, etc.

Drain pools and outdoor faucets/hoses

If there is no water inside a pipe or receptacle, the chances of freezing are zero. Outdoor plumbing fixtures that will not be in use during winter should be drained fully. Disconnect outdoor hoses from connected faucets and drain them. Drain your swimming pool and sprinkler system. Shut the inside valve on outdoor hose-bibs/faucets and open the bib/faucet to let it drain completely.

Insulate unheated spaces

If possible, insulate the unheated spaces in your home – attics, basements, and crawlspaces – to keep them warm and minimize heat loss. You may also want to extend your home’s heating to these spaces. Insulate exposed water pipes in the garage, basement, crawlspace, and under kitchen or bathroom cabinets. You can do this with old newspapers or professional products like foam and fiberglass insulation.

Seal gaps and cracks

Gaps, cracks, and other openings in your walls, roof, and foundation increase the rate of heat loss inside your home. Weak or missing window and door seals also do the same thing. Have a professional inspect your basement, attic, garage, crawlspace, foundation, walls, roof, windows, and doors for gaps, cracks, openings, and weak seals. Seal all openings; paying particular attention to places where pipes and wires penetrate the exterior surface of the building.

Install heat cables/tape and anti-freeze faucets

The heat tape is an electrically-powered heat-generating cable you wrap around exposed pipes to keep them from freezing. When temperatures start to drop, the heat from the cable keeps the water inside the pipes warm. Anti-freeze or frost-proof outdoor faucets, on the other hand, have their shut-off valve far inside the home to keep the water inside the pipes from coming into contact with the cold air outside the house.

Leaving both the cold and hot water faucets in your home slightly open will keep the water inside your pipes moving constantly.

Keep cold air out, but let warm air circulate

Measures that let the warm air inside your home circulate while keeping cold air out will protect your pipes from freezing. Open kitchen and cabinet doors so heated air can reach the exposed pipes inside cabinets and below sink areas. Keep interior doors slightly open to let heat circulate inside your home. Keep garage doors closed to keep cold air out of the space.

Let faucets drip

Leaving both the cold and hot water faucets in your home slightly open will keep the water inside your pipes moving constantly. Pipes are less likely to freeze when the water inside them is flowing. Even when a faucet is dripping slowly, this small movement can help protect your pipes.

Keep your home warm

You want to keep the house warm at all times. Even if you plan to go on vacation for an extended period, do not switch off the heating inside your home. If your home will be unoccupied during winter, set the temperature to no lower than 55°F (13°C).

To conclude, note that you will get more out of the above recommendations if you inspect your plumbing before winter. That’s because a professional plumber can access the various parts of the plumbing to identify potential problem areas and help you fix them. This step will help to make your plumbing more resilient, significantly lowering the risk of frozen and burst pipes inside your house.

Jul '24

Protect Your Pipes: Preparing for Freezing Temperatures

Importance of Protecting Pipes in Cold Weather

Understanding why it is essential to protect your pipes during cold weather is crucial for every homeowner. Freezing temperatures can cause significant damage to your home’s plumbing system. When the water inside pipes freezes, it expands, which can cause the pipes to burst. This not only leads to costly repairs but also to potential water damage within your home. Additionally, protecting your pipes ensures a continuous water supply even during the coldest months, thereby maintaining daily life conveniences.

Understanding the Risks of Frozen Pipes

Frozen pipes pose a multitude of risks extending beyond just burst pipes. When pipes freeze, they can block the supply of water, disrupting daily activities such as cooking, bathing, and cleaning. Moreover, thawing frozen pipes improperly can lead to further damage or even cause fires if incorrect methods are used, such as applying direct heat from a blow torch. The inconvenience, safety risks, and financial burden from dealing with frozen pipes highlight the importance of taking preventive measures.

Signs Your Pipes Might Be Freezing

Detecting early signs that your pipes are freezing can help you take swift action to prevent significant damage. Common indicators include:

– Reduced or no water flow from faucets

– Unusually cold water

– Frost or condensation on the outside of pipes

– Strange noises from the plumbing system, such as banging or clanking

Recognizing these signs early allows you to implement immediate measures to mitigate damage and maintain the integrity of your home’s plumbing system.

Immediate Steps to Take if Pipes Freeze

In the unfortunate event that you discover frozen pipes, quick action can help limit the damage. Here are the steps to take immediately:

– Shut off the main water supply to prevent water from flooding your home once the pipe thaws.

– Open faucets to allow water to escape as it thaws, reducing pressure buildup within the pipes.

– Apply heat to the frozen section of the pipe using a hairdryer, heating pad, or warm towels, but avoid using open flames or high heat devices.

– Call a professional plumber if you are unable to thaw the pipes safely or if you suspect significant damage.

Maintain a consistent indoor temperature, even when you are not home, to prevent the pipes from getting too cold.

How to Prevent Pipes from Freezing

Prevention is the best approach when it comes to protecting your pipes from freezing. Consider these preventive measures:

– Insulate exposed pipes with foam insulation sleeves or heat tape, especially those in unheated areas like basements, attics, and garages.

– Seal gaps and cracks in your home’s exterior walls and foundation to prevent cold air infiltration.

– Allow a trickle of water to flow from faucets during extreme cold spells to keep water moving within the pipes.

– Maintain a consistent indoor temperature, even when you are not home, to prevent the pipes from getting too cold.

Long-Term Solutions for Pipe Protection

For long-term protection, consider investing in more permanent solutions such as:

– Installing pipe insulation throughout your home

– Re-routing pipes to less vulnerable areas, such as interior walls

– Consider upgrading your home plumbing piping materials

– Installing a pipe-heating system that activates during low temperatures

These investments will ensure your pipes remain safe year after year, providing peace of mind and avoiding costly emergencies.

Winterizing Outdoor Plumbing

Outdoor plumbing fixtures, such as hose bibs and sprinkler systems, require special attention during winter. Steps to winterize these include:

– Disconnecting and draining garden hoses

– Shutting off and draining sprinkler system lines

– Insulating hose bibs with faucet covers

– Draining outdoor water features, such as fountains and pools, to prevent freezing

Properly winterizing outdoor plumbing helps protect these systems from damage and ensures they are ready to use when warmer weather returns.

Emergency Services and When to Call a Professional

Knowing when to call in professional help is essential in managing frozen pipes and dealing with a burst plumbing pipe emergency. Contact a plumber immediately if:

– You cannot locate the frozen section of the pipe

– You cannot safely thaw the pipe yourself

– The pipe has burst, causing flooding or significant water damage

– Your DIY efforts do not restore water flow

Professionals have the expertise and equipment necessary to handle these situations safely and effectively, preventing further damage and costly repairs.

Cost Implications of Ignoring Frozen Pipes

Ignoring the issue of frozen pipes can lead to substantial financial consequences. Burst pipes can result in extensive water damage, necessitating repairs to ceilings, walls, flooring, and personal property. Additionally, prolonged exposure to moisture can lead to mold growth, which is difficult and expensive to remediate. The cost of emergency plumbing services and subsequent repairs can quickly add up, making preventive measures and timely intervention more cost effective in the long run.

Wrapping It Up

In conclusion, preparing your home’s pipes for freezing temperatures is an essential aspect of winter home maintenance. By understanding the risks, recognizing early warning signs, taking immediate action, and implementing preventive measures, you can safeguard your plumbing system and avoid costly repairs. Whether through simple DIY steps or investing in long-term solutions, ensuring your pipes are protected will provide peace of mind and maintain the comfort and functionality of your home during the colder months.

Aug '21

How to Winterize a Rental Property and Prevent Frozen Pipes

No landlord ever wants to hear that a water pipe or the heater in their rental property has gone bust. Yet these are the kind of things that happen during winter. As Real Property Group warns, low temperatures in wintry weather subject a rental to stresses that may leave you with costly repairs.

But these problems can be prevented if you take the right actions before the icy winds of winter set in. It is possible to winter-proof your rental property and keep the home’s systems running smoothly throughout the cold season.

The set of proactive actions you take to preempt and prevent problems during winter in is known as winterizing a property. What are the steps for winterizing a rental property to keep pipes from bursting?

How to winterize a rental property

The first thing is to know the components of the home that are most likely to cause problems during winter. Here is a list of the places to pay attention to and the recommended steps to winterize them.

Water pipes

Water pipes are prone to freeze when temperatures get very low. To keep this from happening, wrap pipes in insulating foam pipe covers. This must be done for all pipes located in outside-facing walls. Also, seal holes and gaps around pipe entry points; these openings expose the pipes to extreme cold.

To keep outside pipes from freezing and bursting, turn off exterior faucets and protect them with insulated faucet covers. Remove and store outdoor hoses. Have the sprinkler system flushed by an expert.

Windows, doors, and outlets

Drafty windows and gaps around doors or outlets will result in heat loss. Seal all gaps by caulking them. Apply spray foam to seal gaps under window trim. Use shrink film insulation to seal windows. Apply weather stripping around the edges of doors. Seal openings around outlets with foam outlet insulation gaskets.

Window AC units

Remove window AC units, drain, and stow them away. This will let you seal the hole where the unit was more efficiently. It will also ensure snow does not pile up on the AC and put additional strain on windowsills. If you are unable to remove your ACs, using window air conditioner covers is the next best option.

HVAC systems

Replace the air filters in the HVAC to keep the system working optimally. Test run the furnace to make sure it is working as expected. Ideally, you should have the furnace inspected and serviced. If you use radiant heat, bleed your steam valves to remove trapped air. Test the sump pump; pour enough water into the well until it triggers the float.

Water heater, fireplace, and chimney

If you use a tank heater, drain it to remove sediment. To reduce heat loss, wrap the heater with a water heater insulation wrap. Get an expert to inspect and clean the chimney and fireplace. Ensure the damper is operating properly. Remind the tenants to keep the chimney flue closed when not in use.

Other things to do

Leave faucets open with a small drip to keep water flowing through the pipes. Reverse the ceiling fan blades to circulate the warm air near the ceiling around the room. Set the thermostat temperature at a minimum of 60 degrees to protect your pipes. To keep pipes above freezing temperature, ask your tenants to leave the closet and cabinet doors slightly open at all times.

What to do when things go wrong

If after taking these steps you still end up with a burst or frozen pipe, what should you do?

How to handle frozen pipes

If you find that a pipe is frozen, the only thing to do is thaw it. You may do this as long as the pipe is not damaged. You know a pipe is frozen when you can get little or no water. The first thing to do is to shut off the main water valve.

Following this, you should take immediate action. Do not wait for the pipe to thaw naturally or try to thaw it with a hairdryer. Waiting it out will increase the stress on your tenants and a hairdryer will leave you with more problems by potentially damaging the pipe.

Your best option is to call an emergency plumber. They have the equipment and expertise to thaw your frozen pipes without damaging your plumbing.

What to do when pipes burst

A burst pipe is even worse than a frozen pipe; the released water can damage your building and your tenant’s belongings. To minimize the damage and restore water supply to the rental, the problem must be addressed as quickly as possible.

Two options for solving this problem are to fix the section of the damaged pipe only or replace the entire length of the pipe. Clearly, you want to avoid a complete replacement when fixing only the damaged section will serve.

This is why you need an experienced emergency plumber like the Chicago Plumbing Experts, who will not only treat the burst pipe as an emergency but also give you an honest solution to the problem.