When temperatures drop below freezing, even the most insulated pipes can be at risk of freezing. Depending on your climate and local weather patterns, you may experience frost in your home every winter. Depending on how old and how often they’ve been used, even new pipes may be at risk of freezing. If it has been several years since you’ve had any pipes installed, they may be prone to this type of weather-induced damage.If your pipes are exposed, the best way to prevent them from freezing is to cover them with something. PVC pipes can be wrapped with burlap or fabric to prevent them from freezing. Uninsulated copper pipes should be kept inside a building to avoid freezing. Steel pipes are less likely to freeze than most other types of pipes, however, they are also significantly more expensive per foot than the other materials mentioned above.
WRAPPING PVC PIPES
Burlap is a loose-weave fabric that can be purchased cheaply at most department stores. It is commonly used as a wrapper for flowerpots and is very porous, so it will allow water to pass through it. Depending on the type of PVC pipe you are using, you may also want to cover the ends of the pipe as well. For PVC pipes that are exposed and not wrapped, you can also use a product called Strawberry Wrapping Paper. This paper is more durable than burlap and can be used to wrap both the outside and inside of the pipes.
WRAPPING METAL PIPES
Metal pipes are less likely to freeze than PVC pipes, but you may want to still cover them in the fall. If you are using metal pipes and they are not insulated and remain exposed, they can get very cold, especially if the surrounding temperatures drop below freezing. If you are installing new metal pipes and they are going through a frost-prone area, you can cover them with a frost-resistant sleeve. If you cannot locate a frost-resistant sleeve, you can try covering the pipe with a light-colored fabric or blanket.
OTHER WAYS TO PREVENT PIPE FREEZING
In addition to covering exposed pipes, there are several other ways to prevent pipes from freezing. The most important thing to remember is that the pipes should be thoroughly insulated to keep them warm. You can cover the outside of the house with thick insulation to protect the pipes, or you can add insulation to the inside of the pipe.If you are using PVC or metal pipes, you can also consider installing a sub-slab or sub-floor heating system. These systems pump water through plastic tubes that are installed under the floor and bring it back up to the surface. This will prevent pipes from freezing, even if the rest of the house gets very cold.
SUMMARY
In areas where the weather is particularly unpredictable and winter temperatures drop below freezing, you may need to take extreme measures to prevent pipes from freezing. This can be done by covering the pipes with burlap, fabric, or another type of covering material. In addition to covering your pipes, there are also other ways to prevent pipes from freezing. These include covering the pipes with insulation and installing a sub-floor or sub-slab heating system. PVC and metal pipes are less likely to freeze than other types of pipes, but you can still cover them if necessary. Keep in mind that the best way to prevent pipes from freezing is to keep them warm.