Your Guide to Affordable Insurance

An Ounce of Prevention Keeps the Water Flowing

Tis the season for cold weather! As with every year we encourage our customers to do a minimal amount of protection to ensure there are no freezing water conditions in your home. This winter season is expected to be colder than what we have typically seen. Let’s discuss different types of installs and things that can be done to provide additional protection.

Typically, when a unit is installed inside a garage the heat from the home keeps the garage temperatures above freezing. If your equipment sits right beside the garage door and you have concerns, it does not hurt to hang a trouble light (75-watt bulb inside a cage) from the back of your unit. These trouble lights generally have a hook used when working on a car that you can hang from the plumbing behind the unit. The heat from the 75-watt bulb will provide enough protection to keep the system from freezing. Any outdoor exposed plumbing should be insulated. 

 This is when the equipment is installed outside with a protective insulated enclosure around them. Even though there is insulation inside the shelter, prolonged freezing temperatures will require additional protection. During extreme temperature drops, run an extension cord inside the shelter and hang a trouble light with a 75-watt bulb from the plumbing behind the unit. This should provide enough heat to prevent freezing pipes. 

If your equipment is installed in an enclosed well house you probably already have a thermostatically controlled heat lamp which comes on when the temperature drops below freezing. This will protect your water treatment equipment as well as all your pressure tank and plumbing for your well.

If your equipment is exposed to the elements you will need to take some precautions in dealing with freezing weather. First obtain a water heater blanket and wrap all equipment. Then take a tarpaulin and wrap around the water heater blanket covering the entire unit and any exposed plumbing.
Last, for all freezing weather conditions we recommend letting your water drip swiftly in a bathtub farthest from the incoming line to your home. Moving water has a difficult time freezing inside plumbing. Do this only during extreme freezing conditions so as not to waste too much water.

Taking simple precautions will always pay dividends in the form of eliminating the frustration of dealing with frozen pipes. For any questions regarding this please do not hesitate to contact our office.