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As the chill of a South Jersey winter settles in, homeowners throughout Cherry Hill, Voorhees, and Mount Laurel have one common concern: frozen pipes. Dealing with burst pipes is messy, costly, and a massive headache—one that can easily be avoided with a little preparation. Since 1936, Wolfschmidt Plumbing, Heating & Cooling has been dedicated to keeping our community's plumbing safe and sound. We understand the unique challenges our local climate presents, and we’ve compiled our expert tips to help you safeguard your home this season.
Prepare Your Plumbing Before the Freeze Hits
Taking a few proactive steps now can save you from a plumbing emergency later. Don’t wait for the first hard frost to realize you’re unprepared!
Protect Outdoor Faucets and Hoses
Outdoor plumbing is often the first casualty of freezing temperatures. Disconnect all garden hoses from exterior faucets and drain them completely. Leaving a hose attached creates a direct path for water to freeze back into the pipe, leading to potential bursts inside your walls. Once disconnected, ensure the outdoor water is turned off from the indoor shut-off valve, if one exists, and drain the remaining water by opening the exterior spigot one last time.
Insulate Exposed Pipes
Any pipes located in unheated areas of your home—such as basements, crawl spaces, attics, or garages—are vulnerable to freezing. Use inexpensive foam pipe insulation (often called pipe sleeves or pipe wrap) available at any hardware store to cover these exposed sections. For extremely cold spots, consider using heating tape, which wraps around the pipe and provides a controlled amount of heat. Proper insulation is your first line of defense against the cold.
Steps to Take During a Cold Snap
When temperatures plummet, follow these simple but crucial steps to ensure continuous water flow and pressure relief.
Let Faucets Drip
On nights when the temperature is expected to drop below freezing, select a few faucets farthest from your main water supply and allow them to slowly drip cold water. The running water, even a trickle, relieves pressure in the pipes, preventing the buildup that causes a pipe to burst if a blockage of ice forms. Remember, a burst is caused by the pressure behind the ice blockage, not the ice itself.
Open Cabinet Doors
Pipes located beneath sinks in kitchens and bathrooms are often right next to exterior walls, making them susceptible to cold. Open the cabinet doors to allow warmer, internal air from your home to circulate around the pipes. This simple act can raise the temperature of the air around the plumbing enough to prevent freezing.
Maintain a Consistent Home Temperature
Even if you leave your home for a few hours or a day, never lower your thermostat below $55^\circ$F ($13^\circ$C). A lower setting allows the temperature inside your walls and crawl spaces to drop quickly into the danger zone. Keeping the heat steady ensures that the air circulating around your internal plumbing stays warm enough to prevent ice formation.
What to Do If a Pipe Freezes
If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, a pipe may be frozen. You’ll want to act quickly but cautiously. Locate the frozen section—often near an exterior wall—and, if accessible, try to thaw it using a hairdryer or an electric heating pad. Never use a torch, kerosene, or other open flame device, as this is a severe fire risk. If you cannot safely access the pipe or are unsure of the location, it is time to call a professional.
Protecting your pipes from freezing is an essential part of winterizing your home. If you have any concerns about your home’s plumbing readiness or if you encounter a frozen pipe, don't hesitate to reach out to the experts who have served South Jersey since 1936. For reliable service and peace of mind this winter, contact us at (856) 512-1832. We’re here to help keep your water flowing smoothly all season long.