How to protect your home's plumbing from freezing temperatures
In short: Learn the essential techniques for preventing and thawing frozen pipes. This guide covers practical insulation methods and the correct tools to use when a blockage occurs.
To prevent pipes from freezing, homeowners should seal air-leaking holes and cracks in the house using silicone caulk or expanding foam sealant. Exposed pipes can be protected by slipping foam-rubber insulation over them, pressing the adhesive surfaces together, and miter-cutting the ends at corners with scissors to secure the joints with foam tape.
If a pipe does freeze, the first step is to open the faucet. You can then use a heat gun or blow dryer to thaw the blockage, but you must never use an open flame like a propane torch. For inaccessible sections, an electric pipe-thawing machine can be used by placing clamps on the exposed ends of the pipe to melt the ice.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: How to Prevent Frozen Pipes | This Old House
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