Severe winter weather can cause serious damage to your plumbing system. If temperatures fall below freezing for more than three days in a row, you may experience problems if you're not prepared. Begin protecting your plumbing system before the first frost. Advance planning will save you time in the long run. Use spigot protectors, or hose bibs (figure A), to protect outside faucets from freezing. Made of polystyrene insulation, spigot protectors help retain heat from the house. Avoid using outdoor faucets in winter, and disconnect garden hoses to protect both faucets and hoses. Drain hoses and bring them inside before cold weather begins. Use liquid insulation material (figure B) to fill in any gaps around your foundation. The insulation expands and will keep out the cold as well as insects and other pests. Insulate any pipes that may be exposed to freezing temperatures. For CPVC pipes, use fiberglass insulation (figure C), which comes in a roll. Wrap insulation around the pipe along its entire length, and wrap the insulation with plastic to keep it dry. Heat tape (figure D) acts as an electrical heater and helps prevent pipes from freezing as long as the power is on. When using heat tape, stretch it along the pipe and secure with electrical tape. Don't wrap the tape around the pipes: the heat might build up and melt the insulation. Wrap aluminum foil around CPVC pipes before applying heat tape. Foam insulation (figure E) can be used on most pipes. It comes in 8' lengths and has a self-adhesive seal for easy installation. For copper pipes, which can be difficult to access and repair, use slip-on (figure F) or wrap-around (figure G) insulation. Some brands of wrap-around insulation feature an adhesive backing that holds them in place. If your water heater is exposed to cold temperatures, wrap it with a water-heater blanket (figure H), which saves electricity and reduces the chance of damage from freezing.
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