To protect your home from the potentially catastrophic damage of burst pipes during a Maine winter, a combination of preparation and real-time response is essential. Jason Snyder of Maine points out that the primary goal is to prevent water within the pipes from freezing by maintaining consistent warmth, ensuring proper insulation, and allowing water movement.
Effective frozen pipe prevention begins well before the first significant snowfall. Proactive measures offer the best defense against the harsh realities of a Maine winter.
1. Identification of Vulnerable Pipes
Begin by locating all water supply lines most susceptible to freezing. These are typically:
• Pipes in unheated areas like basements, attics, crawl spaces, and garages.
• Pipes running along exterior walls or in corners where cold air tends to settle.
• Pipes leading to outdoor faucets.
2. Comprehensive Insulation
Insulation is a primary long-term solution.
• Pipe-Specific Insulation: Wrap exposed pipes with materials specifically designed for this purpose, such as foam pipe sleeves or fiberglass insulation. Ensure the entire length of the pipe is covered, including all valves and fittings.
• Heat Tape or Cables: For high-risk or recurrent problem areas, install UL-approved electric heating tape or thermostatically controlled heat cables directly onto the pipes. Always follow manufacturer instructions precisely to avoid fire hazards.
• Home Insulation: Improve the overall insulation in attics, basements, and crawl spaces. This helps maintain higher ambient temperatures in these areas, reducing the risk of pipes freezing. The principle is to keep the heat from your living space within the insulated envelope of your home, and an uninsulated basement or crawl space allows cold air to compromise that envelope.
3. Sealing Gaps and Eliminating Drafts
Cold air drafts are a leading cause of frozen pipes.
• Inspect and Seal: Carefully inspect your home’s exterior and interior for any cracks, gaps, or holes around windows, doors, foundation walls, and where utility lines (like dryer vents, electrical wiring, and pipes) enter the house.
• Use Appropriate Sealants: Use caulk or expanding spray foam insulation (such as Great Stuff) to seal these openings effectively, preventing cold air infiltration.
• Close Vents: Ensure all crawl space and basement vents, windows, and access openings are tightly closed during winter.
4. Outdoor Plumbing Management
Outdoor plumbing requires specific attention before freezing temperatures hit.
• Disconnect Hoses: Disconnect, drain, and store all garden hoses indoors. Leaving a hose connected can cause water to freeze and expand back into the internal pipes.
• Shut Off Exterior Water Supply: Locate the interior shut-off valve for outdoor faucets (hose bibs). Close this valve and then open the outside faucet to drain any residual water from the short span of pipe just inside the house. It is crucial to leave the outside spigot open to allow any remaining water to expand without causing a break.
• Consider Frost-Proof Faucets: As a long-term upgrade, consider installing frost-proof outdoor spigots, which feature an extra-long barrel with the valve seat located inside the heated area of the house.
5. Know Your Home’s Water System
• Locate the Main Shut-Off Valve: Everyone in the home should know the location of the main water shut-off valve and how to use it. In the event of a burst pipe, turning off the main water supply immediately can prevent extensive water damage.
• Address In-Ground Systems: Drain in-ground lawn irrigation and swimming pool supply lines according to manufacturer instructions.
Immediate Actions During Extreme Cold Weather
When an arctic blast or sustained sub-zero temperatures are forecasted, immediate actions are necessary to supplement your preventative measures.
1. Maintain Consistent Indoor Temperatures
• Set Thermostat to 55°F or Higher: Do not lower your thermostat at night or when you are away from home during a cold snap. A consistent temperature is vital, with a minimum setting of 55°F (12°C) generally recommended to keep surrounding areas above freezing. The extra heating cost is minimal compared to the potential repair bills of a burst pipe.
2. Enhance Warm Air Circulation
• Open Cabinet Doors: Open the doors to kitchen and bathroom cabinets, especially those with sinks on exterior walls. This allows warmer indoor air to circulate around the uninsulated pipes within.
• Keep Interior Doors Open: Ensure all interior doors are open to allow heat to circulate evenly throughout the entire house.
• Keep Garage Doors Closed: If there are water supply lines in your garage, keep the garage doors closed as much as possible.
3. Allow Faucets to Drip
When temperatures plunge significantly, allowing a small, slow trickle of water to run through vulnerable pipes is highly effective.
• Relieve Pressure: Moving water is less likely to freeze than standing water, and the slow flow helps relieve the pressure buildup that occurs between a potential ice blockage and the faucet.
• Select the Right Faucet: This is most effective for a faucet located on an exterior wall or the one furthest from where the water enters your home.
• Catch the Water: Use a bucket or container to catch the dripping water, which can then be repurposed for other household needs, minimizing waste.
4. If You Are Away
If you plan to be away from home during the winter:
• Leave Heat On: Set the heat to no lower than 55°F.
• Ask for Help: Have a trusted friend, neighbor, or relative check on the property daily to ensure the heating system is working correctly.
• Alternative: The only other guaranteed solution is to completely drain the entire water system (except for integrated fire sprinkler systems, if applicable).
If Pipes Do Freeze
Even with the best preventative measures, a pipe may still freeze.
• Turn on the Faucet: If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle or no water comes out, a pipe is likely frozen. Leave the faucet open so that water can flow once the ice melts, which helps relieve pressure.
• Apply Gentle Heat: Safely apply heat to the frozen section of the pipe. Use an electric heating pad, an electric hair dryer, or warm towels soaked in hot water. Start applying heat from the faucet end and work your way back toward the coldest area.
• Never Use Open Flames: Absolutely do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or any open flame device, as this is a severe fire hazard and can damage the pipes.
• Call a Plumber: If you cannot locate the frozen section, are unable to reach it, or if the pipe has already burst (indicated by a leak or pooled water), immediately shut off the main water supply and call a licensed plumber.
By understanding and implementing these detailed strategies, Maine homeowners can significantly reduce the risk of frozen pipes and enjoy a more secure winter season.