How To Protect Your Exterior Pipes From Freezing

Sunday, September 20, 2020 , Posted by Bradhaw Plumbing

Burst pipes are one of the most common types of property damage in Canada. Are your pipes protected? The reality is many homeowners are unsure if their exterior pipes are at risk of freezing.

A burst pipe can easily cause thousands of dollars of damage to your home. Water can destroy everything it encounters. Even a slow leak can ruin walls, flooring, and cause mold to grow in your home. Having an exterior pipe crack or leak is not something you want to have to deal with. Its an expensive headache.

With winter on the horizon, now is a great time to check your exterior pipes to see if they are properly protected from the frigid winter weather. Here we will outline the types of pipes that are most at risk of freezing and provide you with tips to protect the exterior pipes in your home.

Where Are Pipes The Most Susceptible To Freezing?

Any pipe that is in an uncontrolled temperature environment is at risk of freezing. When the temperature dips during the winter, any water in your pipes will freeze and expand. This could cause a pipe to freeze and split.

“The pipes most at risk are those in unheated interior spaces such as basements, attics, and garages. But even pipes running through cabinets or exterior walls can freeze. The good news is there are some simple things you can do to keep your water running and your house dry,” says Mary H.J. Farrell on Consumer Reports.

Tips To Protect Exterior Pipes In Your Home

Protecting your exterior pipes is not complicated. There are a number of simple solutions you can apply. Use these tips to reduce the chances of having a frozen pipe in your home:

  1. 1. Identify exposed pipes: Check your home for exposed pipes. Never assume your homes are protected and insulated.
  2. 2. Add insulation: If you have exterior pipes without insulation, add some. It will only cost a couple dollars per pipe to wrap them in insulation and reduce the odds of the pipe from freezing.
  3. 3. Keep your home warm: Maintain a consistent warm temperature in your home during the winter. Reducing the temperature at night during the winter can create a prime environment for a frozen pipe.
  4. 4. Install a shut off valve for outdoor taps: Exterior taps are a common source of pipe leaks. Make sure you disconnect your exterior hose in the fall. If you have a shut off value, make sure it is off and you drain any excess water out of the pipe. If you do not have a shut off valve, give us a call to install one. It is a simple fix that can save you thousands of dollars.

Read More From Our Plumbing Blog

How to Save Water at Home – Top 7 Ways – Updated for 2020

5 Reasons Why Your Bathroom Is The Most Important Room In Your House

What is a Backwater Valve and How Can It Stop Your Basement from Flooding?

    Request a Free Estimate

    For All Your Plumbing, Bathroom Fixture, and Renovation Needs!


      Request a Free Estimate

      For All Your Plumbing, Bathroom Fixture, and Renovation Needs!

        REQUEST A QUOTE

        COVID-19 Announcement

        At Bradshaw Plumbing & Renovations - the safety and well-being of our staff, our customers, and our community is our top priority. Rest assured that we are monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely, and taking the necessary precautions to keep everyone safe and healthy.

        To help with prevention, we have put the following protocols in place for our staff:

        1.) Providing staff members with ample supply of: hand sanitizers, disinfectant wipes, masks, gloves, face shields, and eye protection.

        2.) Asking customers if they have been diagnosed with or exposed to COVID-19, or if they have any cold or flu symptoms, prior to entering their home or business.

        3.) Team members have been instructed to keep safe social distance, to avoid shaking hands when serving customers, and to work at least 6 ft away from others at all times.

        4.) Any staff member that develops cold or flu-like symptoms will refrain from working immediately and be asked to contact Ontario's Public Health Agency to follow the COVID-19 testing and self-isolation protocols.

        5.) Should the situation present itself, our staff members have the right to refuse entry into a property if they feel they are in harmsway.

        6.) The parts department is available from Monday to Friday for curbside pickup of essential plumbing repair parts.

        7.) Please note that during this time, the showroom will be closed until further notice.

        Thank you for your cooperation and understanding, as we all do our part to keep eachother safe and healthy during these challenging times. We will get through this together.