If you have lived in Burley for more than a year, you know that our winters don’t mess around. When the temperature drops below freezing and stays there, your home’s plumbing is at risk. Frozen pipes are more than just an inconvenience; a burst pipe can cause thousands of dollars in water damage in a matter of minutes.
At Sunrise Plumbing, we respond to dozens of frozen pipe calls every winter. The good news? Most of them are preventable. Here is your checklist to keep the water flowing safely all winter long.
Why Do Pipes Freeze?
Water expands when it freezes. If that expansion happens inside a copper or PEX pipe, the pressure builds up until the pipe literally rips apart. This often happens in unheated areas of the home, like crawl spaces, attics, garages, or even inside exterior walls.
Your Prevention Checklist
1. Insulate Exposed Pipes
Go into your garage, basement, or crawl space. Do you see any naked pipes? These are the first to freeze. You can buy foam pipe insulation sleeves at any local hardware store. They are cheap, easy to slip on, and offer a crucial layer of protection against the frigid Magic Valley air.
2. The “Drip” Technique
Moving water is much harder to freeze than standing water. On those nights when the forecast predicts single digits or sub-zero temperatures, leave a faucet dripping. You don’t need a heavy stream—just a steady drip from the faucet furthest from your main water valve is usually enough to relieve pressure in the system.
3. Open Your Cabinet Doors
The pipes under your kitchen and bathroom sinks are often tucked away behind closed doors where the warm air from your furnace can’t reach them. If these sinks are on an exterior wall, they are highly vulnerable. Open the cabinet doors before you go to bed to let the warm house air circulate around the plumbing.
4. Disconnect Garden Hoses
This is the #1 mistake we see. If you leave a garden hose attached to the spigot, water gets trapped inside the faucet assembly. When it freezes, it can crack the pipe inside your wall. Disconnect your hoses, drain them, and store them for the winter.
What If Your Pipes Are Already Frozen?
If you turn on the faucet and only a trickle comes out, you might have a frozen pipe. Don’t panic, but act fast.
- Shut Off the Water: Turn off the main water valve immediately. If the pipe has already burst, this will stop the flooding when it thaws.
- Thaw Slowly: Use a hair dryer or a space heater to gently warm the pipe. NEVER use an open flame like a blowtorch. This is a major fire hazard and can damage the pipe further.
- Check for Leaks: Once water starts flowing again, check carefully for cracks.
Can’t locate the freeze or deal with a burst pipe? Don’t wait until your basement is a swimming pool. Call Sunrise Plumbing immediately at +1 208-312-0041. We are here to get your home warm, dry, and back to normal.