Preventing Frozen Pipes in Seattle Area Homes

The arctic storms drifting through the Pacific Northwest are a reminder of what winter has in store for us. Although our area isn’t prone to subzero temperatures, hard freezes are possible and that means your home is at risk of suffering from frozen pipes. If you have ever experienced this or know a neighbor who has, you know how devastating frozen pipes can be. Our team at Greenwood Hardware is here to help you prepare for frigid temperatures. Frozen pipes will burst and when they do, it can cause incredible damage to your home. Flooded areas increase the risk of mold growth. Your drywall, flooring and ceiling will all need to be repaired. It is a mess you want to avoid at all costs.

These are the things you need to do today to prevent your pipes from freezing.

• Insulate outside pipes and faucets. A cheap way to do this is rake all those leaves in the yard into bags and stuff them around the pipes and faucets. You can also buy insulators designed for the outdoors. Make sure you disconnect all of the hoses and put them away for winter.
• Insulate pipes that are in unheated areas like the basement, crawl spaces or attic. You can buy foam insulation that slides right onto the pipe. You can use heat tape on the pipes as well.
• Seal any leaks around the dryer vent and other areas to prevent frigid air from seeping in. Use caulking or insulation to block the air.

When the forecast calls for temperatures below 20 degrees, you can decrease your risk of suffering frozen pipes by doing the following:

• Open cupboard doors beneath the sink in the bathroom and kitchen areas. This allows the warm air from the room to keep the area from freezing.
• Turn your faucets on so there is a steady drip. Moving water through the pipes will keep them from freezing.
• If you are leaving for the day or weekend, don’t turn off the heat! You can turn the thermostat down to no less than 55 degrees. This ensures the inside of your house will not reach freezing temperatures.
• If you are going to be out of town, ask a neighbor or friend to check on your house at least once a day. You can catch the problem early and prevent damage.

If the pipes do freeze, take action immediately.

• Call a plumber. You are likely not the only person dealing with frozen pipes so you may be on a waiting list.
• Turn on the faucets. If the ice melts, you want to give the water somewhere to go.
• Use a hairdryer to slowly thaw the pipes. You can also wrap hot, damp towels around the pipes to slowly melt the water. Start at the portion of the pipe that is closest to the faucet.
• If you come home to discover your pipes have burst, shut off the main water supply to your house and call a plumber.

Do what you can today to avoid the costly repair costs of frozen pipes. You will find the materials you need at Greenwood Hardware. If you have questions, we are here for you! Come on in, or contact us online.