Just as you prepare your car for the winter, it’s vital to safeguard your home and outdoor belongings against the harshness of winter conditions. A key task you should take care of before the winter arrives is insulating your outdoor water pipes. Freezing temperatures can cause water within the pipes to freeze and as the ice expands, it can cause the pipe to burst. A significant amount of water can spill out of a burst pipe which can cause significant damage to the surrounding area. Outdoor water pipes are most vulnerable to freezing and bursting because they are directly exposed to the elements. This is why insulating outdoor water pipes is so important.

In this guide, we’ll explore how freezing temperatures can affect your water pipes and provide guidance on preventing damage by taking certain precautions and ensuring proper insulation.

How can your pipes get damaged by freezing temperatures?

Winter conditions can damage your water pipes by causing the water within the pipes to freeze. The ice expands within the pipe which can then cause the pipe to burst or at the very least become stretched and weakened.

Winter conditions can damage your outdoor pipes and plumbing in the following ways:

• When pipes freeze, the ice will cause stretching and weakening of the water lines, which may cause a leak.
• When your outdoor faucet freezes, you can end up with damage to the mechanism inside of the faucet which will cause it to fail to work the next year.
• If your faucet freezes and thaws again, you may end up with a leaky faucet.
• Ice freezing in your pipes will cause water to build up behind the blockage which can burst long sections of the water pipes and flood your home.
• If you do not insulate your drainpipes, you can end up with ice in your lines and your sewage backing up.
• Not insulating your pipes can result in leaks in your ceiling.

Although it is very important to winterize the common pipes outside of your home such as those for garden hoses and the sprinkler system, there may be other pipes that connect to your indoor plumbing system that may need to be insulated as well. This will help avoid leaks and damage to your home.

Types of Outdoor Pipe Insulation

There are many types of pipes and components that comprise your outdoor plumbing system. You may need different types of insulation to cover each type of pipe for the winter. Here are some different types of outdoor plumbing insulation to consider:

• Outdoor faucet covers or faucet insulators
• Foam insulation tape
• Foam (polyethylene) pipe insulation
• Fiberglass pipe insulation
• Rubber insulation

How to Insulate Outdoor Water Pipes

Outdoor pipes are vulnerable to freezing temperatures, making them prone to damage. Therefore, it’s crucial to insulate them with high-quality outdoor pipe insulation. This will prevent freezing and bursting, which could lead to costly repairs.

If you’ve recently moved to a region prone to freezing weather and are new to pipe insulation, consult a plumber or a local hardware store expert for guidance on selecting the appropriate insulation for your area. Follow these steps to ensure proper insulation:

Drain and Store Garden Hoses

Since you will not be using your hose during the winter, it should not be left outside to freeze and get damaged by the harsh temperatures. Make sure to store hoses properly in the garage, shed, or the basement. Here are the steps you will need to take to get your hoses ready for winter:

• Disconnect them from the outdoor water supply
• Make sure to uncoil the hose and stretch it out
• Drain all the water from the hose
• Roll it up and store it safely away

Insulate All Exposed Pipes and Working Components

Once you drain all the water out of the hoses and store them away for the winter, it is crucial to take care of any leftover parts of the plumbing system that may still get exposed to the weather. The most helpful thing for this is to use the proper pipe insulation supplies. These supplies will allow you to insulate your pipes so you can protect them from freezing temperatures:

• Find any exposed pipes and make sure to wrap them properly in self-sealing insulation tubes. If you have pipes that are difficult to reach or elbows, you may have to apply additional wrap insulation.
• Use fitted insulation covers to protect your faucets or hose bibs. Make sure that they fit properly so they can be secured and protected.
• Keep repeating these steps as needed until all the exposed pipes and fittings are covered.

Insulate Your Water Supply Lines

Your water supply line should be in your garage, basement, near your exterior walls, or in the crawlspace below your home. Most of these lines may not be considered exterior plumbing, but they are usually exposed to outdoor temperatures because they are usually located near uninsulated exterior walls.

It is crucial to insulate the supply lines, so you do not end up with blockages or burst pipes. Also, insulating your hot water pipes can lower your energy costs as your water heater won’t need to work as hard during the winter. If you insulate your cold-water lines, you will eliminate condensation. These are the steps to follow to insulate your water supply lines:

• Locate the pipes:

Look in your crawl space, basement, or exterior walls to locate your pipes.

• Figure out the best method of insulation and material to use:

You can insulate any pipes in the exterior walls with wall insulation. Pre-slit foam pipe sleeves can be used to cover any straight lines. If there are gaps where the pipes penetrate the walls, they can be insulated with foam insulation products which will expand when they are applied to fill the gap.

• Make sure your insulation is secured with additional tape or glue:

Usually, foam pipe insulation sleeves are pre-cut, and they have a slit that goes lengthwise down the sleeve. The slit may have a self-adhesive strip so it can be closed. If that is not the case, then you may need to apply tape or glue to seal the seam. Always make sure that any exposed pipes are fully covered with wrap insulation so that you can avoid ice in your lines.

Read: How to React to Frozen Pipes?

Professional Water Damage Restoration from Burst Pipes

Freezing winter conditions make water pipes vulnerable to damage, especially those outside the home or along exterior walls. Insulating these pipes helps prevent freezing and bursting. If a burst pipe occurs, despite precautions, call a water damage restoration professional immediately.

Technicians use advanced methods and equipment to dry, clean, and restore your property. Excess water will be removed, and affected areas will be carefully dried and restored. Burst pipes can spill a large amount of water. This water can spread and worsen the damage. Calling a professional quickly limits the water spread and prevents further issues, like structural damage and mold.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to tell if pipes are frozen?

Frozen pipes can cause serious damage, especially during cold weather. It’s important to catch the signs early to prevent them from bursting. Here’s how to tell if your pipes are frozen:

• No Water Flow: If you turn on a faucet and no water comes out, or it’s only a small trickle, the pipe may be frozen.
• Frost on Pipes: Check for frost or ice on your pipes, especially in cold areas like basements or exterior walls.
• Strange Noises: Listen for unusual sounds, like banging or gurgling, when you turn on a faucet. This could be water trying to move through a frozen pipe.
• Cold Spots: Feel the pipes for cold areas, especially if they feel much colder than the rest of the house.

If you notice these signs, take action quickly to avoid pipe bursts and water damage.

Should I turn off water if pipes are frozen?

You should turn off the water supply if you suspect your pipes are frozen.

This is the first step in preventing further damage. When water freezes inside a pipe, it creates pressure that can cause the pipe to crack or even burst. By shutting off the water, you reduce the risk of this happening, as no additional water will flow into the frozen pipe.

To turn off the water, locate your main shutoff valve, which is typically found in your basement, crawlspace, or outside near the water meter. Once the water is off, you can begin thawing the pipes carefully or, if you’re unsure, call a plumber for help.

Does homeowners insurance cover burst pipe?

About Vince Sandri

Vince Sandri is a content writer and blogger with more than 12 years of experience. His expertise is in creating content related to disaster restoration, including information about preventing and reacting to natural disasters like flooding, water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold growth, storm damage and more.
Vince has been the main contributor to RestorationMasterFinder.com since 2014. Over that time, he has written numerous service pages and blogs for disaster restoration providers featured on RestorationMasterFinder.com. Vince has done extensive research and covered a wide range of topics relating to disaster restoration to help homeowners, business owners, and property managers better protect their property. He understands the problems that disasters like flooding, fire, smoke, and mold can cause as well as the best ways to respond to these issues to limit the damage.
Vince completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Aurora University and his master’s degree at DePaul University. He has been writing SEO website pages, blogs, and press releases since 2012. Vince is also a musician and can be seen playing in the Chicago, IL area.