Myths and Means for Old Man Winter – What to Do When it Gets Cold

The Gulf Coast is hardly known for below freezing temperatures but that doesn’t mean it never happens. It can mean that we are less prepared than our far Northern neighbors. We prepare better for hurricanes than a hard freeze. So what should we do? Let’s hear about it from two perspectives: First, a plumber who you should have on speed dial just I case a pipe burst and second, a remodeling expert who you should have on speed dial to put things back together once the plumber is done. These responses come from Charles Hunsucker of Creekside Plumbing & Construction and Rob Hefner of Old Glory Construction.

1. Does it do any good to leave cabinet doors open so that pipes in cabinets are less likely to freeze

Creekside – I do this on North facing walls only. Cold air penetrates that North wall, so adding some warmth from your household heater never hurts.

Old Glory – This is a cost and risk analysis question. I can’t swear it works, but it couldn’t hurt. The risk comes in with cost of cabinets. Water does evil things to cabinets, and cabinets are expensive. I leave mine open for a freeze but only those on exterior walls.

2. How much insulation is needed on exterior water supply or faucet.

Creekside – I do add extra towel wraps on exterior pipes and Hose bibs, if the temperature is going to remain below 32* for 8 or more hours straight. It is important to waterproof the extra wraps well to prevent freezing if it rains during a freezing event. On your house water main you absolutely don’t want it to freeze over. If so you are in for a world of trouble with other pipes in your attic freezing and bursting, due to no water moving within the pipes while dripping.

Old Glory – Usually you see the black foam insulation wrapped in tape around exterior pipes. I’ve worked on a lot of those that froze. It is tough to keep insulation in place year-round. The Big Box stores have foam cups that fit over faucets that seem to help. I don’t recommend dripping exterior faucets. Wrap them with beach towels, you won’t be using those any time soon.

 3. You said drip – should interior faucets be allowed to drip to prevent freezing?

Creekside– No. Your house is heated, and it wraps around the interiorfixtures so they will be ok. Only drip anything on the North wall and thefarthest fixture from where the water enters your house. This action will help all faucets along the way to the dripping faucet. Drip the Hot first and add the cold to slightly increase the flow just past a drip. If it’s a single handle faucet, well try to feel warm water flowing. I do drip mine.

Old Glory – just like #1 above, it is something I tend to do in my house but not sure it makes a difference. Logically it keeps water moving through the entire water line so it may prevent freezing somewhere else. I’ll call this one an Old Wives Tale, but I always listen to my wife. (No, she’s not old, didn’t mean to imply that).

4. How do I protect my irrigation system?

Creekside – If you do you need to completely insulate, cover and protect the top section known as the Vacuum Breaker, along with all piping. Even if it is off it still holds water unless you do this: Cut off the water directly below the dome top, then open those two little valves on the side or sometimes bottom of it and leave them open so they drain the water out through the freeze event. Do not cut off the other big valve on the horizontal pipe. Now go to your sprinkler control box and cycle it on for a few minutes to help remove the rest of the water.

Old Glory – The biggest thing is opening the two little valves on the bottom of the dome top. Leave everything else except water supply to it open.

 5. What is #1 most important?

Creekside – Do something- don’t do nothing. Buy a water Meter tool. It’s a must year around in case anything goes wrong with your water system.

Old Glory – know where you water shutoff is, and if you even suspect a leak turn off the water before doing anything else. Stop the water first.

So, what do we do to prepare for a freeze? Know where your water shutoff is located, insulate and block wind for outside water pipes, moving water doesn’t freeze, and call Creekside Plumbing or Old Glory Construction if Old Man Winter wins. We are here to help.