Homeowners should prepare pipes for freezing temperatures

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) — Don’t let fall and summer temperatures fool you, freezing temperatures are just around the corner. Experts say now is the time to start preparing the plumbing in your home.

If the pipes in your home freeze, it can cause serious problems. Experts at Lincoln Transportation and Utilities shared these tips when it comes to protecting your home this winter.

  • Properly drain and winterize lawn irrigation systems.
  • Remove hoses from outside taps. Most newer homes have freeze-proof faucets that drain water when the hose is removed. Older homes may have a valve inside the home that can be shut off.
  • Make sure all areas with plumbing are heated. Space heaters should only be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and only under supervision.
  • If ducts are hidden near exterior walls in accessible spaces, open cabinet doors to allow warmer air to reach the ducts.
  • Heater tape should be installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions or by a licensed plumber.
  • Running a small amount of water from a kitchen or bathroom faucet at short intervals will usually prevent pipes from freezing. About a cup of water per minute is recommended.
  • Locate the water shut-off valve in advance for immediate access in the event of a leak or rupture in the piping system. The valves are usually located near the water meter.

“If you have a sprinkler system, call your local plumber now and get everything you need to blow out that sprinkler system because sprinklers can burst when they freeze,” said Donna Garden, assistant director of utilities. “I also recommend looking at your backflow preventers to make sure they’re protected.

Experts say the next four weeks is the window to look into as you prepare your home for the winter months.

The weather in Nebraska can be unpredictable. So knowing what to do when your pipes freeze can help you avoid expensive replacement bills. Here are tips from the American Red Cross if you experience frozen pipes.

  • If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen pipe. Likely places for frozen pipes are outside walls or places where your water supply enters your home through the foundation.
  • Keep the faucet open. If you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area starts to melt, water will start flowing through the frozen area. Flowing water through the pipe will help melt ice in the pipe.
  • Apply heat to the pipe section by using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater (keep away from flammable materials), or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame devices.
  • Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. If you cannot locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is inaccessible, or if you cannot thaw the pipe, contact a licensed plumber.
  • Check all other faucets in your home to see if you have any more frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze as well.

“We’re starting to see temperatures drop, and we’re going to start seeing it colder for an extended period of time,” Garden said. “It’s certainly possible for pipes to freeze, so it’s good to prepare now and protect your pipes for the time that lies ahead.”

You might also like

Comments are closed.