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When the bitter cold hits Dayton and the Miami Valley, the last thing any homeowner wants to face is a burst pipe. Frozen plumbing can cause extensive damage, leading to massive clean-up efforts and expensive emergency repairs.
At Seiter Services, we understand that proactive protection is the key to maintaining your home's integrity and your peace of mind throughout the coldest months. While we are always here to help with major plumbing repairs, we prefer to equip our customers with the knowledge to prevent disaster in the first place.
Essential Steps to Prevent Frozen Pipes
The primary reason pipes freeze is exposure to sustained sub-freezing temperatures, which causes the water inside to turn to ice, expanding and cracking the pipe walls. Fortunately, taking a few simple, preventative steps now can significantly reduce your risk.
Identify and Insulate Vulnerable Pipes
Pipes located in unheated areas—such as basements, crawl spaces, garages, or outside walls—are the most susceptible to freezing.
Wrap Your Pipes: Use foam pipe insulation, heat tape, or heat cables on exposed pipes, particularly those near exterior walls. This simple insulation can be purchased at any home improvement store and acts as a vital barrier against the cold.
Insulate Doors and Windows: Seal air leaks around doors and windows in unheated areas. Even a small draft can drop the temperature around pipes enough to cause freezing. Use caulk or weatherstripping to close those gaps.
Maintain a Consistent Temperature
Maintaining a steady temperature inside your home is critical, especially when outdoor temperatures plummet.
Keep the Heat On: Never turn your thermostat below $55^{\circ}\text$ ($13^{\circ}\text$), even if you plan to be away for an extended period. The energy savings are not worth the cost of repairing burst pipes.
Open Cabinet Doors: For kitchen and bathroom sinks situated against exterior walls, open the cabinet doors beneath them. This allows the warmer air from the room to circulate around the plumbing, helping to prevent the pipes from freezing overnight.
Use the Water to Your Advantage
When temperatures drop drastically below freezing, letting a small amount of water run can prevent pressure buildup and pipe rupture.
Let Faucets Drip: If the forecast calls for severe, prolonged cold, turn on the cold water faucet slightly for any sink that has plumbing running through an exterior wall. A slow, pencil-thin stream or steady drip of water helps maintain pressure and keeps the water moving, which raises its freezing point.
Drain Outdoor Hoses and Faucets: Disconnect and drain all garden hoses. If you have an indoor shut-off valve for exterior faucets (hose bibs), close the valve and drain the water from the pipe segment leading to the outside. This is a common failure point that is easy to overlook.
The Seiter Services Commitment
We are proud to serve the Miami Valley, and our core value of Taking Care extends beyond just emergency service. By providing these proactive tips, we aim to help you avoid the stress and expense of plumbing disasters. If you do encounter a frozen pipe—or worse, a burst pipe—call our knowledgeable plumbing experts immediately at (937) 507-3372. We have the skills and experience to address the situation quickly and professionally, restoring your water supply and mitigating damage. Trust Seiter Services to be your partner in protecting your home this winter.