What is the best way to prevent your pipes from freezing in the winter?

Question

keep hearing about the big freeze coming and want to be prepared for it but what is the best way to lag my pipes

Answer 1

cheapest way is too wrap strips of old blankets round them

Answer 2

First thing, measure the size of your pipes. Second, go to your nearest DIY store [B&Q, Homebase etc] and get some 'lagging sleaves'. These are made of a rubbery substance with a slit down the side. These sleaves are then slipped onto the pipe so that they are covered completely without gaps. If you cannot afford this, you can get around the problem by wrapping newspapers around the exposed pipes and holding this in place with Gaffer or Elephant tape. The 'lagging sleaves' above are not expensive by the way.

Answer 3

The only pipes that will need lagging are any pipes that would be in the Roof space (attic) If you want to lag any pipes, you can do it with old clothes or towels, Carpets. It doesn't have to be anything special . But, if the temperature gets low enough , even lagged pipes can freeze.

Answer 4

In a clutch make sure that the faucets in the exterior rooms drip at night until you can purchase pipe insulation. the interior pipes will be warmed by the warmth of the house. Pipe insulation are pieces of neoprene that wrap around your pipes to avoid freezing.

Answer 5

First r u living in the house in the winter. if so then the best thing is to keep the heat up. But if you r not you can put automotive anti-freeze in the pipes and leave there all winter without running the water

Answer 6

I put my whole house on roller skates and tow it down to Florida every Autumn. Works a treat but really uses up gas.

An economic alternative would be to lag all your pipes in the attic with push fit foam. make sure your outside tap has a section of lagging too and you should be just fine.

sayonara

Answer 7

Lag them with the pre formed tube of foam that you get at the DIY stores. Its very easy. If you want to be extra smart use plastic electrical ties to hold the stuff in place. Get the really thick foam as there is some stuff called "Economy" which isn't, as it is so thin that it is useless

Answer 8

__Be sure they're sheltered from cold air (crawl space or attic hatches are closed) Note: be sure to open the hatches as soon as the very cold weather passes for movement of air and avoiding moisture buildup, fungus or rot.

__Be sure that exposed pipes are wrap-insulated

__Keep taps (inside and outside) slow-running or fast dripping in very cold weather. Moving water thru a pipe is less prone to freezing

__Cover exterior faucets with insulation, or with kits avail at Home Depot, Lowes, or hardward stores.

Good luck.

Answer 9

most of the times, wind is your enemy for pipes. cover and seal all cracks and openings in your foundation. and yes, if there is ever any doubt, keep a faucet trickiling. for extreme climates, heat tape and insulation are sometimes needed if you leave with no heat, put antifeeze down kitchen, stool, and tub drains, along with shutting main supply off (note--you must_shut water off first , then open all faucets, then put antifreeze in.

Answer 10

If the pipes are accessible, insulation or pipe-heating tape will work.
If not, leave your faucets slightly open, as running water will not freeze.

Answer 11

I don't know where you are but the big freeze is already hitting the Northeast of the US. I'd suggest you visit a local home center and ask what works best in your area.