With the season’s first hard freeze on the horizon, are your pipes up to it? You should be aware of which lines in the house are prone to bursting once the temperature falls at night. Have you made a point of checking that part of the basement you put off?
Should any of this give you cause for concern, then read on. We have been with High 5 Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric in the Denver metro since 2012 and our people have seen what an unshielded pipe will do in a Colorado cold snap. When you need us in a hurry we are at (720) 615-9621; you can talk to someone here round the clock, not some call center operator.
The weather in Denver is wont to change in a moment. An afternoon of warmth can be followed by a morning well under freezing. It is that kind of abrupt turn of events that puts you at risk of a frozen or burst pipe. Put in some effort now and you will be spared the trouble later.
Acting in the Fall
Freezing water has a way of expanding and putting enough pressure on a pipe to crack it, be it copper, PEX or PVC. In a few hours a broken line can have your basement flooded and the drywall and flooring ruined. The rub is that for the most part you could have avoided it.
We see too many homeowners who do not give their pipes a thought until a freeze warning is issued. Then the hardware store is bare and the cold is upon them. Make the time in fall to get it done properly.
Pipes to Put Your Mind to First
There is more risk in some of your home’s piping than others. Those left to the cold air or on an uninsulated exterior wall are the ones that will give you problems.
Make sure to look at the following:
- Unheated areas of the home, from the crawl space to the attic, garage and basement
- Spigots and hose bibs outside
- Water lines on the exterior of walls
- Under the sink in the kitchen or bath if they are on an outside wall
- Irrigation and sprinkler lines
- Anything that has a habit of frosting or sweating in the winter
Insulating the Pipes Is Straightforward
You can put in place some basic protection without calling in a pro. Most home improvement outlets carry foam sleeves and wrap for a reasonable price and they will serve you well when Denver is in single digits.
To insulate:
- Take the length and diameter of what you intend to cover
- Put the foam sleeve on and use tape to hold the seams
- For a bend or joint that is awkward, wrap it with insulating tape
- Put away your garden hoses after you have drained them
- Turn off and drain any outdoor irrigation or faucets
- Close up any cracks or gaps where the cold can make its way to the pipes
For the Colder Evenings
Insulation may not cut it when the mercury is at its lowest. A couple of things will help the water keep moving and stave off a freeze.
During a hard freeze one might:
- Allow a slow drip from the faucet
- Leave the cabinet doors open below the sink for some warm air
- Put the thermostat on a setting and leave it there
- If there are water lines in the garage, keep the door shut
- Be sure you know where the main shutoff is in the event of a burst
Leave it to the Pros
There are times you need more than a bit of tape and foam. Whether you want the assurance of a job well done before winter or have pipes in places difficult to access, let us put your mind at ease. Our pricing is straightforward with no surprises or hidden charges and we can arrange financing.
High 5 is BBB-accredited (A+) with over 6,000 reviews on Google. All of our technicians have been background checked and we are fully licensed and insured in the state of Colorado (#189849). We guarantee your satisfaction in full. Inquire into our Club Membership for priority service and discounts on repairs as well as regular tune-ups of your plumbing, heating and electrical.
Let the first freeze take you by surprise no longer. From a frozen pipe to an inspection, High 5 Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric is here 24/7. Give us a ring at (720) 615-9621 and face the winter confident.