How to Winterize Your Pipes? Salt Lake City County & Payson, Utah

Wrap pipes with heat tape and insulation from All star service in Salt Lake County, UT

Freezing temperatures have arrived here in Salt Lake County. Is your plumbing ready? Winterizing is an important preventative measure that can help you avoid frozen pipes when the weather turns bitterly cold. If left unaddressed, frozen pipes may burst, leading to water damage, mold growth, and even significant flooding in some cases. Avoid costly property damage and plumbing repairs by winterizing your pipes with these tips.

Wrap pipes with heat tape and insulation: Exposed pipes running along exterior walls are vulnerable to freezing outdoor temperatures. Wrap these pipes with insulation tubes made of fiberglass or polyethylene. Measure the diameter of your pipes first to make sure you buy the right size. You can also install heat tape, which warms up slightly thanks to a built-in thermostat. Keep in mind that only some heat tapes can be used in conjunction with insulation. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid damage.
Seal and insulate exterior walls: Water pipes often run through unconditioned spaces, such as the attic, garage, and crawlspace. Keep frigid air out by adding insulation, sealing air leaks, and closing foundation vents during the winter. You may also want to run a space heater in unconditioned areas. The goal is to keep the temperature just above freezing.
Keep pipes warm: When frigid temperatures are forecast, set the thermostat no lower than 60 degrees. Then, open under-sink cabinet doors to let warm air circulate around the pipes there.
Let the faucets drip: Consider running a trickle of water from any faucets located on exterior walls on cold nights. You only need a slow, steady drip to prevent pressure from building up within the pipe and causing it to burst. This technique may feel like a waste of water, but it’s far less costly and wasteful than paying to repair a burst pipe and the resulting water damage.
Prepare your yard for winter: This includes disconnecting garden hoses and hiring a contractor to blow out your sprinkler system before the first deep freeze hits. You may also want to upgrade to frost-free hose bibs to protect your outdoor faucets.
Turn off the water when you leave town: If you’re traveling this winter, turn the main water shutoff valve and open faucets around the house to drain the plumbing system. With no water in the pipes, you don’t have to worry about them freezing and bursting while you’re away.

No matter what plumbing system you have, All Star Service and Repair can keep your pipes in top working order. Turn to us for advice if you need help winterizing your plumbing, or call us 24 hours a day for emergency plumbing services if you discover a pipe has frozen or burst. All our work is backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and we offer a 10-year warranty on all plumbing installations and repairs. Contact us today at (801) 792-2428 to speak with an expert residential plumber in Salt Lake City, Sandy, Murray, Provo, or Orem.