Freezing temperatures can wreak havoc on your homes plumbing, but following these essential plumbing tips for cold weather can prevent most cold weather catastrophes:

1. Outside Faucets – The leading cause of frozen pipes is hoses left attached to outside faucets. With a hose attached, especially a hose with a sprayer, the faucet is unable to drain which makes it susceptible to freezing. It is important during the cold seasons to disconnect the hoses from the outside faucets and store them away. Make sure to drain any remaining water from the outdoor hoes bib, as well. With older faucets, insulated faucet covers are highly recommended as they trap heat that radiates from the indoor plumbing to the outdoor spigot. This trapped heat prevents the spigot from freezing over and causing a burst pipe. Modern faucets typically do not require additional protection such as faucet covers, however, it doesn’t hurt to add them as an extra precaution.
2. Insulate Pipes– All pipes should be well insulated and may also require heat tape.
3. Heat Tape – Insulating your pipes is necessary but it is not always enough when the temperatures stay cold for several days at a time. This is where heat tape comes in handy. Heat tape should be applied to any pipe not in a conditioned space (i.e. attic or exposed under a mobile home).
4. Check Heat Tape – If you already have heat tape in place, check to make sure it is still functioning! A lot can happen in one year so it’s important to check if the tape is still in good condition.
5. Cabinet Doors – When it gets extremely cold, leave under-sink cabinet doors on exterior walls open to allow for warm air to circulate.
6. Leave Faucets Dripping – Let water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe, even at a trickle, helps prevent pipes from freezing.
7. Winterize – Any vacant property, outdoor kitchen or other outdoor plumbing should be properly winterized. You can winterize pipes and faucets by draining them down or blowing them out with compressed air if necessary.

We hope you’ve enjoyed these essential plumbing tips for cold weather and we look forward to sharing more plumbing tips with you in future posts!

Justin

Meet Justin Carnahan, the mastermind behind Green Country Plumbing and a plumbing wizard with expertise in plumbing repipes, sewer repairs, leak detection, and tankless water heaters. When he's not transforming outdated plumbing systems into efficient marvels or solving mysteries hidden beneath the surface, Justin can be found coaching his kids' sports team, dating his wife, Heather, or hunting. For him, plumbing isn't just about tools and techniques – it's about serving customers, enriching employees, and supporting his family. Justin's unique blend of expertise and humor makes him a standout in the plumbing world. Whether he's cracking jokes like a stand-up comedian or blending in with nature like a chameleon, Justin's dedication to his craft and love for life shine through. So, if you're in need of a plumber who can fix your pipes with skill and a smile, Justin Carnahan is your go-to guy. He's not just a master plumber; he's a master of laughter, love, and living life to the fullest! Green Country Plumbing has been serving Sand Springs, Tulsa and nearby areas for over 25 years. Justin is dedicated to keep the brand and business to remain Sand Springs plumber of choice!

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