Keeping Pipes From Freezing In The Attic

But plumbing pipes in an unheated area such as an attic crawl space and garage are at risk of freezing.

Keeping pipes from freezing in the attic.

It s easy for pipes to freeze during a cold winter. Exposed pipes are most susceptible to freezing. Field tests of residential water systems showed that for uninsulated pipes installed in an unheated attic freezing began when the outside temperature fell to 20 f or below. The best way to keep your pipes from freezing is to purchase specifically designed pipe insulation.

Fortunately it s just as easy to protect them from the low temperatures. Moving plumbing pipes from a slab to an attic. Remember the more insulation you use the better protected your pipes will be. When a water pipe leaks under a slab it is necessary to jackhammer a hole in the slab to get to the damaged pipe.

Insulate pipes in your home s crawl spaces and attic even if you live in a climate where freezing is uncommon. For severe climes opt for wrapping problem pipes with thermostatically controlled heat tape from 50 to 200 depending on length which will turn on at. The best pipe insulation for your situation will depend. Use heat tape on problem pipes.

You can do this with any one of six simple steps or. Here are 10 ways to keep your pipes from freezing even during a record cold snap. Cold temperatures can cause water pipes to freeze. Freezing in a pipe creates a lot of pressure inside the pipe and can cause the pipe to burst and likely lead to serious flooding especially when there s no one around to turn off the water.

If you look up in your attic and find exposed pipes you really need to take immediate action. Heat tape or thermostatically controlled heat cables can be used to wrap pipes. If a span of pipe is particularly vulnerable to low temperatures electric pipe heating tape acts like an electric blanket for pipes to prevent freezing. Insulate any attic pipes that transfer water.

There are number of steps you can can take when learning how to keep pipes from freezing in the first place. If you notice plumbing pipes that are fully exposed to the elements understand that you are playing a game of water damage russian roulette and eventually you will lose. Controlled by a thermostat to activate only when the attic temperature plunges dangerously low the tape typically consumes about 5 watts per foot. Often inexpensive foam pipe insulation is enough for moderately cold climates.

Insulate pipes located in the attic and crawl space using pipe insulation even if the climate where you live does not often have hard freeze conditions you can also wrap pipes in heat tape or heat cables with a thermostat control.