How Do You Prevent Broken Water Pipes During Cold Weather?
Cold winters are hard on water pipes and fixtures, and preventative steps are necessary before the onset of freezing weather. Some forethought and pipe-freezing prevention measures (such as pipe insulation, heat tape, foam rubber sleeves, or fiberglass) are always the best first line of defense against cold-weather water pipe breakage. Nonetheless, if you find yourself in the dead of winter and haven’t protected your pipes, it’s not too late to take actions that can save you money and protect your home. Shut the water supply off to the pipes along exterior walls or crawl spaces as these pipes can freeze easily because of a lack of insulation and exposure to the elements. It’s a good idea to have these pipes insulated at the time you have your home built, or wrapped in heat tape, especially if you live in a colder area. If this isn’t possible, shut off the valve that controls the water to these pipes. Usually this valves is on the outside of your home. Turn the water valve handle to shu
