Preventing Frozen Pipes
By making sure that pipes are adequately heated and monitored for problems, you can greatly reduce the likelihood of catastrophic damage from a burst pipe. Government organizations like ProtectYourPipes.org have some handy prevention tips. Here are a few pointers that can help reduce your risk.
Heating
The primary precaution you can take to keep your pipes from freezing is straightforward: make sure they’re heated.
While that may sound a bit obvious, consider that much of a building’s plumbing is not directly exposed to the same comfortable atmosphere as its human inhabitants. Snoop around your facility — opening cabinets, drawers, crawl-space doors — and feel the surfaces inside those hidden spaces. If they’re cold, so are your pipes.
Consider leaving those doors and drawers open, and if necessary, apply heat tape to the pipes. While that’s a small drag on your electric bill, it’s way less expensive than repairing a busted pipe. (Pro-tip: if you use heat tape without a thermostat or timed shut-off, you can set an October calendar reminder to plug the tape in and another in April to unplug it.)
Insulation
Bare pipes are vulnerable pipes. Wherever possible, make sure there’s a layer of insulation between the pipes and outer walls, and insulate the pipes themselves with fiberglass or polyethylene pipe insulation available at most well-stocked hardware or home repair stores.
If you’re using heat tape along with pipe insulation, make sure the tape is wrapped around the pipe before fitting the insulation.
Sealing
While most of your facility’s outer shell (roof, siding, etc.) is adequate to keep the elements at bay, it may not be as good at keeping out the wind.
While you’re inspecting your facility, be on the lookout for gaps or holes that allow outside air into spaces through which your piping runs. Heat transfers (escapes) much more rapidly in moving air, so plugging those holes can make a substantial difference in how quickly your pipes freeze.
Monitoring
For fuller protection against burst pipes, consider installing a monitoring system. These devices can alert you when the temperature in sensitive areas drops into the danger zone. They can also warn you of open windows or doors that might accelerate a freeze.
