Protect Your Plumbing From Freezing Weather

As temperatures drop in Cleveland, your plumbing system faces a hidden enemy: freezing weather. When water inside pipes freezes, it expands, leading to increased pressure that can cause pipes to crack or burst.

Not only can this lead to costly repairs, but it can also disrupt your daily routine and create extensive water damage to your Cuyahoga County home. With a little preparation, you can protect your plumbing and avoid these winter headaches.

Whether it’s ensuring proper insulation around exposed pipes, taking preventive measures during sudden cold snaps in Cleveland,, or addressing common weak points in your plumbing system, safeguarding your pipes is essential for a stress-free winter.

In this blog, Green Home Heating & Cooling guides you through practical steps to protect your plumbing system from freezing weather. From simple tips like leaving your faucets dripping to more comprehensive solutions like adding pipe insulation, you’ll find actionable advice to keep your home safe and dry.

Don’t let freezing weather catch you off guard—take proactive measures to winterize your plumbing and enjoy peace of mind throughout the cold season.

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes

With temperatures expected to dip well below the freezing mark over the next several days here in
Cleveland, our team at Green Home Heating & Cooling has some tips to protect your plumbing equipment:

1. Always keep your heat on with the thermostat set no lower than 55 degrees—even when you’re away from home.
2. Let room-temperature water trickle from all your faucets to keep the water flowing.
3. Open cabinet doors, allowing warm air to reach pipes.
4. Protect any exposed pipes outdoors, in the attic or the crawl space, using pipe insulation or heat tape.
5. Protect your water heater with an insulation blanket.
6. Locate your main shut-off water valve in the event of a pipe burst.
7. Seal any leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents, and pipes.
8. Drain and disconnect garden hoses.
9. Keep the garage door shut if there are water supply lines in the garage.

How to Thaw Frozen Pipes

Bursting pipes are among the most common home repair issues during freezing weather. A half-inch pipe can spew as much as 50 gallons per minute! If you turn on your faucet and only a trickle comes out, it could be because of a frozen pipe.

Here are some tips on how to thaw a frozen pipe:

• Keep the faucet open, but shut off the main water valve. As you treat the frozen pipe and it begins to thaw, water will start to flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt the ice in it.
• Apply heat to the section of the pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, or warmed towels wrapped around pipes. You can also use a portable space heater—but keep it away from flammable materials.
• Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene, propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame devices.
• Apply heat until the full water pressure is restored.

Call Your Plumbing Experts in Cleveland,, Today

Are you having trouble locating the frozen area? Give Green Home Heating & Cooling a call right away! Our licensed plumbers will address the problem and provide other tips to keep your Cleveland, home comfortable throughout the cold winter. Call us at 216-459-8800 or request service online.