FREEZE PREVENTION GUIDE
Rooter Man’s Quick Tips: Protect Your Pipes This Winter
Frozen pipes can lead to costly damage. Here’s how to stay ahead of the freeze:
- Keep Water Moving
- Run hot and cold water at a slow stream, especially in unheated areas or faucets farthest from the main line.
- For pools, ensure water is circulating to prevent freezing.
- Check Your Water Service
- Regularly inspect the main water line where it enters your home for signs of freezing or reduced flow.
- Know Where Pipes Are at Risk
- Pipes in unheated spaces (attics, crawl spaces, basements) or along exterior walls are the most vulnerable.
- Side Notes to Keep in Mind
- Check attic vents for any snow or ice infiltration, as excess buildup can cause additional issues.
- Inspect outdoor water heater vents and ensure they remain clear and unobstructed.
- Secure outdoor units and vents to prevent them from shifting or being blocked by snow and ice.
- Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes.
- Relieve Pressure the Safe Way
- The safest fixture to turn on to relieve pressure is the bathtub faucet. It handles larger volumes of water and reduces the risk of damage.
- Watch for Warning Signs
- Frost on pipes, bulges, foul smells from drains, or no water when you turn on the faucet could mean trouble.
- What to Do if Pipes Freeze
- Shut off your main water supply immediately.
- Open faucets to relieve pressure.
- Use a hair dryer or space heater to carefully thaw accessible pipes—but never an open flame.
- Act Fast
- If you notice leaks, suspect damage, or experience frozen water service, call a professional plumber immediately.
When disaster strikes, trust the emergency plumbing crew at Rooter Man. We’re here to keep your pipes and water systems safe all winter long!
“Rooter Man Can: If you can’t, we can!”
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Freezing temperatures can cause significant damage to your home’s water systems, plants, and machinery. Follow these steps to keep things flowing, protect your property, and prevent freezing during cold temperatures:
1. Keep Water Moving
- Allow water to flow through pipes by keeping a slow trickle or drip from faucets. This prevents water from freezing while minimizing water usage.
- Use only enough to keep water moving to avoid depletion of the parish water supply.
2. Insulate Exposed Pipes
- Wrap exposed pipes with pipe insulation, old pool noodles, towels, or blankets.
- Ensure all exposed areas are shielded to protect from wind chill.
3. Protect Hose Bibbs
- Use box covers designed for hose bibbs to prevent freezing.
- A new technology we love is the Freeze Mizer for added protection.
- Towels and blankets can also be used for insulation.
- Walk the property and wrap all exposed pipes or hose bibbs to ensure full coverage.
4. Insulate Irrigation Systems
- Drain and insulate your irrigation system to protect it during freezing weather.
- Freeze prevention bags, mainly used in commercial applications, can also be utilized. Smaller bags are available to cover irrigation systems effectively.
5. Exterior Pipe Protection
- Wrap the pipes where water enters the home.
- Insulate all exterior hose bibbs around the house.
6. Raised Home Protection
- Use cardboard, plywood, or other barriers to block wind from blowing under raised homes. This reduces the risk of freezing pipes beneath the house.
7. Tankless Water Heater Tips
- Exterior tankless water heaters are very common in this area and require special precautions.
- Do not cover the unit itself, as it needs ventilation.
- Insulate the pipes leading to the heater thoroughly to prevent freezing.
- Tankless water heaters operate based on flow rate. To avoid running hot water all night, it’s best to power the unit down at night if comfortable. Then, run water at a slow trickle.
- In the morning, power the unit back on and run hot water to let the unit cycle properly.
8. Hot Water Freezing Myth
- The idea that hot water freezes faster is often misunderstood. The reason people say hot water freezes faster is that there is no movement in the hot water lines after your last use. Typically, the last hot water usage is a bath or shower at night. While cold water may continue to flow overnight for washing hands, getting water, ice maker cycling, dishwashers, or possibly that last load of laundry, hot water lines remain stagnant. Ensure movement in both hot and cold lines to avoid freezing.
- Using Commodes: In addition to other measures, flushing commodes overnight can help keep the cold water moving through the system, reducing the chance of freezing. This provides a small but effective way to keep water flowing, especially if other cold water outlets aren’t being used during the night.
9. General Freeze Prevention for Pipes, Plants, and Machinery
For Pipes:
- Insulation: Wrap pipes with foam or fiberglass insulation to protect them from cold weather, especially in unheated areas like basements, attics, and crawl spaces.
- Heating Tape: Electric heating tapes can be applied to pipes to maintain a safe temperature and prevent freezing.
- Pipe Relocation: If possible, move exposed pipes to warmer areas.
- Drip Faucets: Letting faucets drip slowly during very cold weather helps keep water moving through the pipes, reducing the risk of freezing.
- Seal Leaks: Seal gaps or cracks in walls, windows, or other openings where cold air can enter and chill the pipes.
For Plants:
- Mulching: Apply a thick layer of mulch around plants to insulate the soil and prevent it from freezing.
- Covering: Use blankets, tarps, or specialized frost cloth to cover sensitive plants during a freeze.
- Watering: Water plants well before a freeze. Wet soil holds more heat than dry soil and can help protect the roots.
- Move Indoors: Bring potted plants inside or into a sheltered location to keep them warmer.
For Machinery or Equipment:
- Antifreeze: Ensure machinery such as vehicles, engines, and HVAC systems use the proper type and amount of antifreeze or coolant.
- Storage: Store equipment in a heated garage or shelter when not in use.
- Regular Maintenance: Regularly maintain equipment, ensuring parts that could be affected by freezing are in good condition.
Additional Tips
- There are other ways to insulate pipes, such as using box covers or other materials. Photos will be attached for reference to help you better understand these methods.
- The name of the game is movement. Keeping water flowing without depleting the parish supply is the key to preventing frozen pipes and ensuring your home stays safe during freezing temperatures. 33°F is the temperature to be aware of.
If you can’t prevent freezing, Rooter Man can help. Call 504-262-2222 for assistance.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I run/drip the hot and cold water?
Allowing a small water drip from your faucet can save you from frozen pipes and thousands of dollars in water damage. A drip doesn’t always prevent freezing, but with water moving through your pipes, ice is less likely to form. There’s also less pressure in your pipes, so they’re less likely to burst if they freeze.
Turn on the cold water of your faucet to create a small, steady drip with drops falling approximately every three seconds. Hot water comes through a separate pipe and is less likely to freeze, so a cold water drip is recommended.
If your water pipes for both hot and cold water are exposed, or your power is out along with your water heater, drip both hot and cold water to prevent either line from freezing.
How many faucets do I have drip?
You should drip a faucet that’s farthest away from your home’s water source, but to err on the side of caution you should drip faucets in all rooms with plumbing. For example, you may want to drip the kitchen faucet as well as the bathroom faucets. Any branch of your water pipe system has the possibility of freezing, so dripping more faucets reduces the chance of freezing and bursting pipes.
Consider dripping these faucets:
- Faucet farthest away from your home’s water source.
- Faucet that attaches to exposed pipes, such as those in your basement or attic.
- Faucet that attaches to pipes in exterior walls that have little insulation.
- Faucets or shower heads in each room to ensure each pipe has a drip.
The small increase in your water bill for running a drip is likely less than $1 a month. This minimal cost is worth saving potentially thousands of dollars in water damage costs. A small crack in a pipe can spray hundreds of gallons of water into your home.
Do I leave the outside faucets dripping?
Yes, you should leave outside faucets dripping in freezing weather to prevent frozen and burst pipes. While a drip doesn’t always prevent freezing, ice is less likely to form and there’s less pressure in your pipes, meaning they’re less likely to burst. You can also winterize your outdoor faucets, eliminating the need to run a drip.
What do I do with my pool during a freeze?
To protect your pool during freezing weather, you should take the following steps:
1. Keep the Pool Pump Running
• Run your pool pump continuously to keep water circulating, preventing it from freezing.
• If your system has a freeze protection mode, make sure it’s enabled.
2. Open Air Valves
• Open any air relief valves on your pool equipment to release pressure caused by freezing water.
3. Maintain Proper Water Levels
• Ensure the water level is at the middle of the skimmer to allow proper circulation.
4. Protect Pool Equipment
• Insulate exposed pipes, pumps, and filters with blankets, towels, or specialized covers to prevent freezing.
• Remove drain plugs from pumps, heaters, and filters if you’re turning off the system.
5. Use a Pool Cover
• A pool cover helps maintain water temperature and prevents debris from falling in.
6. Add Algaecide or Enzyme Products
• If the pool will remain unused for a while, add algaecide or enzyme treatments to keep water clean during the cold period.
7. Monitor Water Chemistry
• Test and balance the pool’s chemical levels to prevent damage to equipment and surfaces.
8. If Freezing Occurs
• If ice forms, do not break it, as this could damage the pool surface or liner.
• Instead, let it melt naturally when the temperature rises.
Taking these steps will help prevent costly damage and ensure your pool stays in good condition through freezing weather.
What do I do to prepare my hot water heater?
To protect your hot water heater during freezing temperatures, follow these steps:
1. Insulate the Water Heater
- For tank-style heaters: Ensure the water heater and exposed pipes are insulated. Use a water heater insulation blanket and pipe insulation.
- For tankless heaters: Ensure the unit has freeze protection. Some models come with built-in protection, but if yours doesn’t, insulate pipes leading to and from the heater.
2. Keep Water Flowing
- Allow a slow trickle of hot and cold water to flow through a faucet. Moving water is less likely to freeze.
- Prioritize faucets farthest from the water heater.
3. Drain and Turn Off (Optional)
- If you’re concerned about prolonged freezing:
- Turn off the power to your water heater.
- Electric heaters: Switch off the breaker.
- Gas heaters: Turn the thermostat to “pilot.”
- Shut off the water supply to the heater.
- Drain the tank or system to prevent freezing and damage. Follow your manufacturer’s instructions for draining.
- Turn off the power to your water heater.
4. Check the Outdoor Unit (Tankless)
- If you have a tankless water heater installed outside, ensure it’s plugged into power for freeze protection to function.
- Use an insulated cover or weatherproof blanket specifically designed for your brand and type of tankless water heaters. Don’t use just anything to cover, tankless water heaters have special covers designed for them.
5. Prevent Drafts
- Close doors or windows near the water heater to prevent cold air from entering the space.
- Add insulation or weather-stripping to protect the area.
6. Inspect the System
- Check for leaks or issues beforehand. Leaks can exacerbate freezing issues.