Summary: Taking precautionary measures can help prevent frozen and bursting pipes during cold Ohio winters.
Everyone has heard horror stories about water pipes freezing and bursting in the depths of winters icy grip. The resulting mess, whether it be a minor leak or a flood, is sure to prompt a homeowner to never find him or herself in such a situation a second time. However, by simply taking a few precautionary steps, most of these horror stories can be prevented entirely.
For those who live in the wintry (and rapidly changing) climate of Ohio, it is well known that temperatures can plummet significantly in a matter of just a few hours. Dont wait until a sudden cold snap occurs to winterize pipes.
First, do a walk-through of your home to identify possible trouble spots, particularly if this is to be your first winter in the house. Unheated crawl spaces, attics, garages, and basements with pipes running through them are prime suspects, as are areas where water pipes run along exterior walls near windows and doors. Having these relocated to more suitable areas by a contractor is a great solution, but that may not be feasible. If this is the case, make sure that during the cold months that faucets connected to highly vulnerable pipes are left just slightly open, to allow for at least a slow drip. If freezing occurs in the pipe, this tiny trickle of water will help to ease the pressure that causes pipes to burst.
Caulking shut areas in the walls or foundation that allow the exterior cold air to pass over pipes is a good way to take preventative action. You may want to work with a partner and use a flashlight at night to spot hidden air leakage areas. Pipes that are hidden in unheated spaces behind cabinet doors will benefit if the doors are left open to allow room air to raise the temperature on cold days. Foam rubber or fiberglass pipe sleeves or wrapping can be found at most hardware stores, and can really help, too, as can electric heating tape. When using any of these, be sure not to leave any areas exposed in order to offer the maximum protection. Freeze protection heating cables are another viable option for metal or rigid plastic pipes and also require the use of fiberglass pipe insulation for correct installation. These come in varying lengths and should have a built in thermostat that automatically turns on the cable when the temperature hovers just above the freezing point.
Dont neglect winterizing your outdoor faucet to protect those pipes as well. First, close off the water supply valve if possible. Next, remove any attached hoses and drain any remaining water from the line by turning the faucet handle all the way open until all water flow ceases. At this point, it is a good idea to wrap the faucet in insulating material, or even in layers of cloth or newspaper, and secure the wrapping with a sturdy layer of duct tape to hold it in place.
If all of your preventative efforts fail and you find that a pipe has frozen, never, ever use an open flame of any type to try and thaw it out. Instead, you may find that a hair dryer set on high heat works well, or perhaps try wrapping rags around the frozen pipe and then pouring hot water over them. If you use a hair dryer, be very careful to avoid standing in water or having cords dangle in an area where they can become wet.
Of course, if you are leaving your home for any extended period of time in cold weather, its a good idea to turn off the main water supply and drain pipes at all faucets before leaving.
An ounce of prevention is, truly, worth more than a pound of cure when it comes to preventing frozen water pipes during this Ohio winter.
