Frozen Pipes

User: kimchi
Posts 50

Is your friend German? If so she probably knows about insulating tape -- it gets so cold there that tape usually isn't enough.

User: Kat
Posts 50

A low-cost safeguard after you insulate is to let water drip overnight, preferably from a faucet on an outside wall. You can also open up cabinet doors to allow heat to get to uninsulated pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls.

User: SallyDP
Posts 100

I didn't know about the isulating tape! It is a great thing to know. I think I'm going to buy some of it and take it as a gift to a friend who lives in Germany. I don't think she knows about it and is always worried about frozen pipes!

User: handyman
Posts 7

Your pipes need to be insulated from the cold. Are you turning off your heat in the winter? Don't let the temperature in your house go below 50 degrees unless you plan on draining all the water from your plumbing system. If the problem is pipes that are exposed to the elements despite a heated house, you can try to insulate them and/or use heat tape to keep them warm. See: http://www.builderssquare.com/xp_1474637-Easy_Heat_Plumbing_AHB_Braided_Heat_Tape_183863.aspx

User: SallyDP
Posts 100

I live in New York, and I think the best thing to avoid frozen pipes is to keep the heat all the time on. It will be cheper at the end, rather than having the mess and problems and expenses of paying for new pipes.

User: mamavazquez
Posts 6

I live near Chicago and last year my pipes froze and caused a huge mess...days of frozen pipes, then unthawing and bursting....yuck! What can I do now, so I dont run into the same problem this year?