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When temperatures drop, one of the biggest threats to your home’s plumbing is frozen or burst pipes. A burst pipe can quickly flood your home, cause thousands of dollars in damage, and leave you with a huge cleanup headache. The good news? With a little preparation, you can protect your pipes and enjoy peace of mind all winter long.
At Pink Flamingo Plumbing, we believe prevention is always better (and cheaper) than repair. Here’s how you can safeguard your plumbing without unnecessary stress.
Why Pipes Burst in Cold Weather
When water inside your pipes freezes, it expands. This puts extreme pressure on the walls of your pipes, and even the strongest metal or plastic can’t withstand it forever. The pipe itself may not freeze completely, but the pressure buildup is enough to cause cracks or bursts—especially in uninsulated or exposed areas.
Step 1: Insulate Your Pipes
The first line of defense against freezing is insulation. Focus on pipes in vulnerable areas such as:
Basements and crawlspaces
Attics and garages
Exterior walls
Pipe insulation sleeves or heat tape are affordable and easy to install. This small step can make a big difference in preventing costly damage.
Step 2: Keep Water Flowing
Moving water is much less likely to freeze. On especially cold nights, allow a small trickle of water to run from faucets connected to vulnerable pipes. It may seem wasteful, but the tiny increase in your water bill is nothing compared to the cost of repairing a burst pipe.
Step 3: Maintain Consistent Indoor Heat
A common mistake homeowners make is lowering their thermostat too much at night or when leaving home. Keep your indoor temperature consistent, ideally no lower than 55°F. Even if you’re away for a few days, maintaining a steady temperature protects your pipes from freezing.
Step 4: Open Cabinet Doors
In kitchens and bathrooms, pipes are often located behind cabinets, where cold air can settle. On freezing days, open your cabinet doors to allow warm indoor air to circulate around the pipes. This simple trick can prevent hidden freezes.
Step 5: Seal Drafts and Cracks
Cold air entering through small gaps can expose your pipes to freezing temperatures. Inspect your home for drafts near windows, doors, and walls where plumbing runs, and seal them with caulk or weatherstripping.
Step 6: Disconnect Outdoor Hoses
Outdoor faucets are one of the most common sources of burst pipes in winter. Always disconnect garden hoses and, if possible, shut off and drain outdoor spigots before the first freeze of the season.
What to Do if Your Pipes Freeze
If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, you may have a frozen pipe. Keep the faucet open and apply gentle heat (such as a hair dryer or heating pad) to the affected area. Never use open flames. If you can’t locate or safely thaw the pipe, it’s time to call a professional.
Stay Stress-Free with Pink Flamingo Plumbing
Winter doesn’t have to mean worrying about burst pipes. With these simple steps, you can protect your plumbing and keep your home safe from water damage. And if you ever run into trouble, help is just a phone call away.
📞 Contact Pink Flamingo Plumbing today at (503) 455-7336 for expert plumbing services and peace of mind all winter long.