Protect Your Home Before the Deep Freeze Hits
Spokane Valley winters are beautiful, but they are tough on plumbing. When temperatures drop into the teens and stay there, water inside unprotected pipes can freeze solid. Frozen pipes can stop your water supply, and if the pressure builds high enough, they can burst and flood your home.
The best time to prevent frozen pipes in Spokane Valley is before the first cold snap arrives. At Raptor Rooter & Plumbing, we have helped local homeowners get through every winter since 2017. Here are the steps we recommend to keep your water flowing all season.
Which Pipes Are Most at Risk of Freezing?
Not every pipe in your home is equally exposed. The pipes most likely to freeze are the ones that run through unheated or poorly insulated spaces, including:
- Pipes in crawl spaces and unfinished basements
- Supply lines in attached garages
- Pipes that run along exterior walls
- Plumbing under kitchen and bathroom sinks on outside walls
- Outdoor hose bibs and sprinkler lines
- Pipes in attics or bonus rooms above garages
Older Spokane Valley homes often have less insulation around these areas. If your home was built before the 1980s, it is worth taking a closer look at where your pipes run.
7 Ways To Prevent Frozen Pipes This Winter
1. Insulate Exposed Pipes
Foam pipe insulation is inexpensive and easy to install. Cover any exposed pipes in your crawl space, garage, and basement. For pipes in especially cold areas, heat tape or heat cables add extra protection.
2. Disconnect Hoses and Drain Outdoor Faucets
Remove garden hoses and shut off and drain your outdoor spigots. Water trapped in a hose bib is one of the most common sources of winter pipe damage.
3. Seal Air Leaks
Cold air sneaking in through gaps around pipes, vents, and foundation walls can freeze nearby plumbing quickly. Use caulk or spray foam to seal openings where pipes pass through exterior walls.
4. Keep Your Thermostat Steady
It is tempting to turn the heat way down at night or while you are at work. During a cold snap, try to keep your thermostat at 55 degrees or higher around the clock. A slightly higher heating bill costs far less than a burst pipe.
5. Open Cabinet Doors
On very cold nights, open the cabinet doors under sinks that sit on exterior walls. This lets warm air from your home reach the pipes.
6. Let Faucets Drip During Extreme Cold
When the forecast calls for single digits, let the faucets farthest from your main water line drip slowly. Moving water is much less likely to freeze, and a dripping faucet relieves pressure in the line.
7. Close Garage Doors
If you have water lines running through your garage, keep the garage door closed as much as possible during cold weather.
Signs Your Pipes May Be Frozen
Catching a frozen pipe early gives you the best chance of thawing it before it bursts. Watch for these warning signs:
- Little or no water coming out of a faucet
- Frost visible on an exposed pipe
- Strange smells coming from a drain
- A toilet that will not refill after flushing
- Bulging or cracked sections of pipe
What To Do If a Pipe Freezes
If you suspect a frozen pipe, act quickly but carefully:
- Turn off the water at your main shut-off valve if you see any signs of cracking or leaking.
- Open the faucet connected to the frozen pipe so water can flow once it starts to thaw.
- Apply gentle heat using a hair dryer, a space heater kept at a safe distance, or warm towels.
- Never use an open flame, propane torch, or other high heat source to thaw a pipe.
- Keep applying heat until full water pressure returns.
If you cannot find the frozen section, cannot reach it, or the pipe has already cracked, call a professional. Our frozen pipe repair team can safely thaw lines and repair any damage.
Should You Upgrade Your Plumbing for Winter?
Homes that deal with frozen pipes year after year may benefit from long-term upgrades. Rerouting vulnerable lines, installing frost-free hose bibs, or adding insulation can solve recurring problems for good. In older homes with aging galvanized or brittle pipes, whole-home repiping can also make your plumbing more resistant to freeze damage.
A fall plumbing inspection is a great way to find weak spots before the cold arrives.
Trust Raptor Rooter & Plumbing This Winter
Raptor Rooter & Plumbing is proud to serve Spokane Valley, Spokane, Liberty Lake, and the surrounding communities. Our licensed plumbers are available 24/7 for winter plumbing emergencies, and we offer upfront pricing on every job. Whether you need pipes insulated before winter or a frozen line repaired at midnight, we are ready to help.
Call us at (509) 289-4733 or book online today. We Make Your Leaks Extinct!