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As the chilly winds of winter start to creep in around Lansdale, thoughts drift to cozy evenings by the fire and hot cocoa. Yet, something important might not be at the forefront of our minds—your outdoor plumbing's fate. Imagine waking up to frozen pipes in just the right places. (Because, as you could probably guess, your outdoor plumbing isn't in the right places when it's cold outside and your pipes are snagging frost and ice and just generally behaving abysmally.) Unless you've got a heater for your outdoor space (and can we just say, we think that's awesome), you're probably not spending any time on the outside of your house during the cold winter months. And that's just one of the reasons your outdoor plumbing doesn't need any drama during winter. Here's a list of preparations that can ensure your plumbing serves you well, even when it's cold enough for icicles to form on the rim of your oversize winter hat.
Cast your mind back to the lovely sessions of shoveling that follow a snowfall, or perhaps the breathtaking sight of a backyard that lies beneath a pristine white blanket. Now throw plumbing into the picture. As invitingly snow-covered as the grounds look, underneath them lie the potential plumbing risks of the very thing that snow, in nature’s cruel way, is designed to do: insulate. Snow, like other forms of insulation, tends to keep the temperature around what is inside at a constant. And what, may I ask, are the plumbing pipes doing inside my basement? They are not installing themselves, I can assure you. So, what are they doing? Basement pipes, basement plumbing, house plumbing: these things are designed to be warm. But basement pipes, plumbing in general, and the plumbing inside don’t seem to do what they’re designed to do anymore when the outside temperature hits a low number on the thermometer.
As you strive to fortify your home's exterior against winter, don't overlook the outdoor faucets. A faucet that drips in the summertime is a gentle, musical accompaniment to your evening barbecue. But when the mercury plunges, a drip can turn into an icicle that you're not going to want to pay for under the unavoidable circumstances of ice and frost. Turning off your water supply to outdoor faucets doesn't do the trick alone, though, because when winter arrives and the water inside the hose freezes, the faucet itself can freeze and crack. To avoid that during the next deep freeze, you'll need to do two things: shut off the water supply and drain the faucets.
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Residing in Lansdale—a snug enclave tucked in Philadelphia's extended embrace—has its advantages and oddities. With winter's chill just around the corner, we naturally are preparing our homes to endure the season. Outdoor plumbing tends to be an afterthought; it is just there doing its job until it is not, or so we hope. But as we may have all learned or been reminded last winter, when the temp truly goes for the bone, working outside to do any number of things can be a real downer when one is not at all bundled up. The first snowfall may whitewash the place beautifully and then some, but it is not worth a whole lot if frozen pipes are lurking beneath the surface waiting to bust out at the seams.
Elementary tasks can make a world of difference. For instance, disconnecting hoses may sound simple, but it's a common oversight that can lead to all sorts of problems when the weather turns from mild to frigid. When you leave a hose connected to a spigot, permitting water to remain inside and then freeze, you're asking for trouble.
Conversely, the quick win of covering outdoor spigots with insulated caps or faucet socks (yes, these exist) ensures that every possible entrance to your house is as far from freezing as it can get. Just think of those exterior fixtures in the same way you would an indoor bud vase: not so sunny, not so warm, and definitely not so moist.
Having precautionary measures in place is smart, but it's also necessary to have contingency plans for when your precautions fail. A plumbing problem that occurs in the middle of a deep freeze can quickly become a life-threatening thing, and no one wants to have to deal with an emergency like that—that's just plain cold! What we at Alpha Plumbing want you to understand is that while dealing with your potential plumbing issues in freezing temperatures is a serious business, the business of understanding how to deal with those plumbing issues is our business, and we deal with it in a no-jargon, no-stuffy way that's as straightforward as bathroom toilet instructions (and probably a lot easier to understand).
Your comfort starts with a conversation. Reach out to us by phone or through our online booking form to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation. One of our experienced HVAC specialists will visit your home or business at a convenient time to assess your heating, cooling, and ventilation needs. We take the time to understand your goals, inspect your current system (if applicable), and answer any questions you may have. Whether you're replacing an old unit or installing a new system, our team ensures we start with a solid understanding of your space and your expectations.
After the initial consultation, our experts design a system tailored to your unique environment. We consider factors like square footage, insulation, window placement, and your energy efficiency preferences to recommend the best HVAC solution. We then present you with a detailed, transparent estimate outlining all costs involved — no hidden fees or surprises. Our proposal includes equipment specifications, timeline, and warranty information. We’re happy to walk you through every line of the estimate so you feel confident moving forward.
Once you approve the plan, our licensed and insured technicians take over. We schedule the installation at a time that works best for you and carry out the work with minimal disruption to your daily routine. Our team ensures every component is installed to the highest industry standards and tests the system thoroughly before completion. After installation, we provide a full walkthrough of your new HVAC system, show you how to use it, and discuss maintenance tips. You also gain access to our dedicated support team and service plans to keep your system running smoothly year-round.
Lansdale's winter can be frigid, with temps dipping lower than a bat's nightcall. Your outdoor plumbing needs care to withstand the winter's icy grasp, just like tender saplings need warmth to survive the season. As the leaves make their yearly descent and the sun tucks itself away for the winter, it is more important than ever to safeguard those pipes. Insulating your plumbing system is like giving it a "cozy winter coat" for the next three months. The prep you do now saves a "heap of trouble" come morning, should the temperature dip lower than freezing. In the winter, the plumbing system that services your house is like a hibernating bear: low to the ground, cutting a path through the chilly wind for water to follow—pwater that, should the temperature average in the low teens, might just freeze solid in its path. If you're in an area that gets a good eight to ten inches of snow on average, you're in territory where insulating your plumbing system makes the bite of winter less of a problem—hopefully.
Imagine this: The garden, a haven of song and color, lies under a frozen blanket. It might seem like its world has stopped in time, but below the surface, your pipes should be anything but asleep. The first step in winterizing your plumbing is to ensure that it's clear of water. Ice expands, and water that doesn't drain will freeze. Any section of pipe with water in it is a section of pipe in peril. The second step is to check the indoor plumbing. Much of the plumbing in a house is conveniently located inside, which is the same as saying that a lot of the plumbing is in places where the insulation makes sure pipes stay warm. Why wouldn't they? If you can't keep the indoor plumbing warm, you're not going to keep the pipes that run under your floors warm. And those are pipes in peril.
There is a type of satisfaction that comes from knowing your hard work will pay off when the balmy weather returns.
Apart from keeping pipes intact, winterizing outdoor plumbing ensures an elongated lifespan of the whole system. That's kind of the point.
You're tucking in these oft-overlooked elements of your home plumbing so that when the thaw happens, they—and the rest of the system—will wake up without any dramas, ready to perform well into the warm days ahead.
This will ensure a seamless transition to spring and a whole lot of satisfaction for you as a homeowner.
Residing in Lansdale entails enduring brisk winters, and your exterior plumbing requires the kind of profound and professional care that can only be begot by the indoor warmth of a plumbing shop. For Alpha Plumbing, serving the greater Philadelphia area since 2004, that shop is always open. With where and how we live taken into account, the local brief within the context of the larger national narrative is that we have almost 20 million miles of pipe in service, the majority of it underground, mostly made of either metal or plastic.
We comprehend the busy lifestyle of the borough of Lansdale and how an inconvenient plumbing situation can throw your whole day out of whack. That is why we make it our top priority to serve you with rapid-response, efficient, and effective plumbing repairs. We respect your time and understand that you have a daily routine. We want that routine to be uninterrupted by any unforeseen plumbing disasters. To do that, we handle the details so you can focus on what really matters.
Caring for yourself proactively is the way to ensure a smooth winter, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Preventative maintenance catches potential problems and fixes them before they become disasters. Choosing to have regular check-ups allows you to maintain the system and to catch unexpected leaks or bursts that sometimes occur during the colder weather. This prescience results in a reduction of expenses over the long haul and a winter season that is free of any stressful episodes.
At Alpha Plumbing, we don't believe in solutions that fit all because each Lansdale home is one of a kind. Our plumbing pros take the time to figure out what your particular plumbing problems really are and offer advice that's right for you, your home, and your budget. Whether you're problem insulating outdoor pipes or optimizing your home's water flow , we keep things running smoothly even in extreme temps. Trust us to provide the plumbing care that's right for you and your home.
To ensure your outdoor plumbing doesn't freeze, do the following: 1. Let the water drip from faucet(s) connected to pipes that run through unreasonably cold areas (like exterior walls). 2. Keep garage doors closed, especially if there are water supply lines in that part of your house. 3. Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors that are home to your plumbing, especially if your sinks are on an interior wall. (This one is actually easier than it sounds; just leave it up to your kids to keep from taking any brushes or towels out of the bathroom and to make the sink area look presentable and orderly.) 4. Let the thermostat stay at the same temperature all the day long and all the night long. (Some thermostats can be set to do this; others can't. If yours can't, remember that a consistent, lower temperature is better for the pipes than a few hours of higher temperature followed by a return to a lower temperature.) 5. If you plan to be away for more than a day, make sure the house will stay warm enough in your absence for the plumbing to remain unfrozen. 1. Insulate Pipes: Outdoor pipes should be wrapped with either foam insulation or heat tape. It is essential that they are thoroughly covered. Nonetheless, securing the cover with weatherproof tape can help ensure the cover remains secure, even during inclement weather. 2. Drain Outdoor Faucets: Hoses should be disconnected from outdoor faucets. Once that is done, the faucet can be opened. This will allow any water that is left in the faucet to drain out. If it was installed, now would be a good time to remove any faucet covers that protect the faucet in the winter. 3. Shut Off Water Supply: If it is feasible to do so, shut off the water supply to the outdoor faucets from the inside, and open the faucet to allow it to fully drain the water. 4. Seal Gaps: Examine the walls for spaces or fractures around pipes that come into your home and seal these apparent points of entry with caulk or foam sealant. The idea is to stop any cold air from the outside reaching your pipes from the inside and freezing the water in them. 5. Use Pipe Heating Cables: For pipes at risk of freezing, think about putting in electric pipe heating cables intended to keep them warm during frigid weather. 6. Keep Garage Doors Closed: Maintain warmer temperatures in your garage by closing the door if there are water supply lines inside. This prevents the lines from freezing. 7. Maintain Consistent Indoor Temperature: Maintain a constant, 24-hour temperature in your home during extreme cold. This ensures the warmth extends to areas with plumbing near exterior walls. Taking these steps will help keep your outdoor plumbing safe from the wintry temperatures that can occur during the winter months.
Water pipes located outdoors usually freeze when temperatures dip to 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius). But wind chill, for instance, can cause the pipes to freeze at higher temperatures, while exposure to temperatures at or below freezing for long periods can also up the odds that your pipes will freeze. It's thus imperative to make sure your plumbing is winter-ready before the forecast calls for anything close to freezing.
Start by using foam pipe insulation to insulate your plumbing's exposed bits. That will keep the warm air in and the cold out—and keep the plumbing from freezing. If you don't have shut-off valves (or if they're not working properly), consider adding shut-off valves in case of future emergencies. And perform regular maintenance checks. If you catch a problem early, it likely won't escalate into a crisis later on in the freezing cold.
When preparing exterior plumbing for winter, cover all outdoor pipes with foam pipe insulation. This will yield a first layer of protection. Be sure to fasten the foam securely with duct tape (or another strong adhesive) so that it is in place before moving on to the next step. Apart from the inlet and outlet of the heat pump, which should be wrapped with heat tape or heating cables, all other pipes should be insulated this way. This is the method I used with great success years ago after learning it from Master Plumber Steve McCarty.
Typically, outside spigots freeze when the temperature drops to 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius) or lower.
To avoid having your external condensate pipe freeze, see to it that it is insulated properly. The best way to wrap your pipe is with foam pipe insulation, which is designed to fit snugly and not come loose even in the tightest spots. This kind of insulation is a barrier against extreme cold. Also, think about using heat tape, which can be coiled around the pipe and supplies a steady source of warmth. Electric heat tape is one good option. Checking the efficiency of the heating system is a good idea for reducing the chances of condensation in the home. If the heating system is running well, it will keep water flowing through pipes—even when the water is coming from a hot water tank—to help assure that no water drips on the pipes and condenses into a seemingly endless supply of water. That's because the efficiency of the heating system affects everything else in the home that uses heat, including those areas where cold water is in pipes. Ensure you routinely eliminate any blockages or accumulation at the exit of the pipe so it can drain properly. During periods of extreme cold, it can sometimes be beneficial to pour hot water down the condensate pipe. This measure can aid in preventing the formation of ice that can lead to obstruction and subsequent flooding.
In regions with lengthy cold winters, it is advised to protect outdoor water faucets from freezing temperatures. This is usually accomplished by either covering the faucet or removing the faucet altogether and storing it inside. Undeniably, you might think that any old rag would suffice as a covering, but it has been observed that a more insulative covering promotes better performance (in terms of preventing the outdoor plumbing from freezing). Thus, the insulated cover is more effective than a simple cloth when it comes to keeping the plumbing that runs through the wall warm enough to prevent freezing.
In the winter, outside spigots must be turned off and drained to avoid freezing. To do this, first shut off the water supply to the outdoor spigot. Then open the spigot to allow any water left in the line to drain out. This greatly reduces the chances that any water left in the spigot or line will freeze and do damage.
Indeed, allowing your faucet to drip can help keep the pipes from freezing. When you let a tiny but steady stream of water flow through your pipes, it accomplishes a couple of things: It keeps the water in the pipes moving, which is more effective than the slight warming your home does (in part, to the pipes) when the temperature is 20 degrees Fahrenheit or above (as was the case a few days ago in much of the Ohio Valley); and it reduces the buildup of pressure that can occur when there's an ice blockage upstream. Pressure relief is important because when the water in your pipes suddenly expands as it freezes, it can cause your pipes to burst. Even if the bursting doesn't happen until spring, when the ice thaws, doing all this can save you a lot of trouble.
Indeed, spigot covers can help keep pipes from freezing by supplying an extra insulation layer. They greatly lessens the chances of cold air coming into direct contact with the spigot, thereby minimizing the risk of the water inside freezing and potentially causing the pipes to burst. If you're looking for the best and most reliable protection for your outdoor spigots during the winter months, it is highly recommended that you also disconnect the hoses running to Spigot-2 and shut off the water supply to these spigots.
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