How To Prevent Water Pipes From Freezing in a Power Outage
With a few more days of this extreme cold, and many areas in North America experiencing flooding and freezing temps, my heart goes out to those who have little experience with WATER PIPES freezing. Some of the technology that we use here in Canada may not be available in some of the states that rarely have this cold weather. Also many are without electricity right now, so power outages will also increase the potential for frozen pipes. This post is dedicated to providing some solutions to avoid your pipes from freezing without electricity.
The first logical solution is to located and turn off the main shutoff valve to prevent the water from coming into the house.
Most homes typically have a laundry tub. The pipes would normally run up the wall. The pipes would typically be connected to some other pipes upstairs, so those pipes would be touching or close to an outside wall. Most outside walls are insulated but in a basement not so much, therefore it is important to insulate the pipe around that outside wall. I would suggest using a pool noodle slit up the middle, or you can go to Home Depot and buy foam pipe insulators.
They are relatively inexpensive approx $9 CAD. A link to Home Depot below.
Again not very expensive $12 CAD, link to Home Depot below.
https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.pipe-wrap-4-inchx25.1000167780.html
Next you should disconnect any hoses attached to your outside water tap. Then turn the outside water valve off. Then open the tap and let any leftover water drip out.
Next you need to open your taps in your home. You have to keep the water moving if you do not have access to your main water valve to turn it off. Recirculating water will not freeze, like the effect of a stream. If you have turned your water off, open your taps to drain the remaining water so that does not freeze.
You also want to drain your water tank as or water heater, there is usually a drain tap at the bottom of the tank. Grab a bucket and let it flow into the bucket. This will prevent damage to the heater or tank.
You will want to also flush your toilets, this helps circulate the remaining water if you have turned off the water or help circulate the water if you have not. Some people add antifreeze to the toilet bowl water before they flush, but this is not a practice that I encourage.
If your equipped with a sump pump in your basement and it does not have a backup battery pack, I would suggest taking any valuables out of your basement just in case there is flooding when it starts to warm back up.
Well there you have it Folks. Just a few suggestions to help out. Stay safe and warm my friends.
Happy (Unhappy) FREEZING PIPES trails Folks
Image Sources:
www.treehugger.com
https://www.banggood.com/2inch-Self-Adhesive-Thermoshield-Reflective-Heat-Shield-Heatshield-Tape-Wrapping-p-1125591.html?cur_warehouse=CN
http://paradigmplumbingservices.com/2016/12/locate-your-main-water-shutoff-valve-before-an-emergency-occurs/
Interesting!
Interesting!
Here in my country Nigeria, we don't experience this. Here is heat and to worsen matter no constant power supply.
Right about now I would love to have a problem like yours where it is too hot. We had a -40 Celcius night last night with the wind chill. LOL Thank you
We had temps like that about a week ago but it has since warmed up. I think all the cold air shifted East!
nice, it shows how your country people survive in winter, we haven't faced like that as we live in hot region
This post has received a 0.31 % upvote from @drotto thanks to: @banjo.
We dont have to worry about this in western africa, but its nice to know theres a wsy to prevent such, thanks for the knowlege shared.
This is important when it's so cold that you seems to have. Great tip, and post:-)
Interesting advices, but how...? How you build your houses in such climate and don't insulate the pipes to the point they never-ever will freeze. What's the point of shutting of the valves if you have no running water at home.... :D
I also live in such climate and never heard of water freezing inside the pipes.
Thank you for the tips. We have one pipe that always freezes and I'm glad for some alternatives to leaving the tap running.