The winter weather in Palm Desert, CA, can be much milder than what people experience further north. However, there are still some things to watch out for during this season that can impact your home greatly. For example, freezing pipes are a problem that can lead to low water pressure or lack of water entirely. Frozen pipes can even burst, causing a whole-house disaster that is expensive and complicated to clean up. Let’s look at some of the ways you can prevent frozen pipes in your home.

Monitoring Your Interior Temperature

The ideal temperature in a home during the winter months is around 68 degrees Fahrenheit. You can adjust this temperature by a degree or two. However, never allow your interior temperature to drop below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. A temperature lower than this greatly increases the risk of your pipes freezing. A lot of people think they should drop their interior temperature to save money on heating if they’re going to be out of town for an extended period. While this can promote savings, it doesn’t allow for enough warm air to circulate around your pipes and plumbing system. That can be quite costly.

Utilize Plumbing Insulation

Insulating your pipes can protect them from cold temperatures, reducing the risk of freezing. You have different types of insulation to choose from.

Foam Tubing

There are foam insulation tubes that look a lot like pool noodles. However, they are made of a much denser material that provides excellent insulation around your pipes. They are cut to match different sections of your plumbing setup and fit easily right over your pipes. They can be removed as needed, which is something that other methods like spray foam insulation don’t really provide.

Fiberglass Insulation

You’re probably familiar with the sheets of fiberglass insulation that can be cut and laid into various walls and crevices in your home. It’s a very affordable material that is resistant to water and mold growth. However, it’s not the most efficient insulation option available.

Spray Foam Insulation

Spray foam insulation is a great option because it can be sprayed as a liquid into all different kinds of hard-to-reach areas. It will then be cured to a hard material in about 24 hours. This product provides a very airtight seal that will help prevent your pipes from freezing in the winter.

You can also have your water heater insulated. This will help keep the water in the tank warm. It can also help increase the comfort and convenience of your plumbing system. Water heater insulation can reduce the amount of time that your heater must run, decreasing your energy consumption and monthly utility bills.

Keeping Your Cabinets Open

If you have cabinets that house pipes and plumbing, you should consider keeping them open during cold spells. This will promote a flow of warm air around your pipes so they are less likely to freeze.

Leave Water Trickling From Faucets

This is another method that doesn’t have to be used all the time, especially since it wastes a bit of water. However, leaving your faucets on a trickle when you’re concerned about your pipes freezing is a great idea. This very small amount of water movement can prevent standing water in your pipes from freezing. It’s an especially useful method to use if you’re going to be leaving your residence for an extended period.

Signs of Frozen Pipes

It’s very important that you know how to spot freezing or frozen pipes. This will allow you to act quickly before a pipe bursts or extensive damage takes place.

Decrease in Water Pressure

If you aren’t getting a steady flow of water out of one or more of your fixtures, ice in your pipes may be impeding water flow.

Leaking Pipes or Condensation

If any of your pipes appear to have condensation on them or they are leaking, there may be damage that is caused by ice in your pipes.

Gurgling Sounds

There may be some odd sounds coming from your pipes if ice is making it difficult for water to move through.

If you would like assistance with preventing frozen pipes in your Palm Desert home this winter, reach out to our team at Righty Roo Plumbing & Air. For plumbing, we offer repair services, hydro jetting, water heater service, routine inspections, drain cleaning, toilet repairs, and much more. We also handle a full range of HVAC services. Contact us at Righty Roo Plumbing & Air today to schedule an appointment anywhere in or near Palm Desert.

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Righty Roo Plumbing & Air
Righty Roo Plumbing & Air

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