How To Protect Your Plumbing From the Harsh Baltimore Winter

Winters in Baltimore, MD, can be harsh, with average temperatures ranging from the low 30s to the upper 40s and 21 inches of snowfall each year. These conditions can wreak havoc on your plumbing system, potentially leading to frozen pipes.

As pressure builds within your pipes due to freezing water, it can increase the risk of a burst pipe, causing extensive water damage to your property. Understanding how to protect your plumbing and prevent this is the best way to keep your property safe during Baltimore’s winters.

The plumbing experts at Len The Plumber Heating & Air have tips to help you protect your pipes this winter:

1. Monitor the Forecast

The first thing you should do is make a habit out of watching the weather forecast. By monitoring for periods of prolonged freezing conditions and impending snow and ice, you can better prepare to keep your pipes from bursting.

2. Winterize Outdoor Faucets

Outdoor hoses are prone to freezing due to their direct exposure to the frosty air. When they freeze, pressure can build within the pipes that connect to other areas of your plumbing system, causing problems for other fixtures.

Protect your outdoor spigots by insulating them and covering them during winter to keep them from freezing.

3. Insulate Exposed Pipes

Pipes that run through unheated areas, such as basements, attics, crawl spaces, or garages, are especially vulnerable. Insulate them properly to keep them protected.

Consider investing in heat tape as well to prevent water from freezing in your pipes and causing a potential pipe burst later on.

4. Maintain Consistent Temperatures

While some homeowners might think lowering their thermostats at night to save on utilities is an energy-efficient solution, it’s not worth the risk when it comes to freezing pipes.

Avoid lowering your thermostat to below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, even while you’re away or sleeping, as maintaining an indoor temperature of 55 degrees or warmer will help protect your plumbing in freezing weather.

5. Let Faucets Drip

Letting your faucets drip on particularly cold nights can help keep your pipes from freezing. Moving water is less likely to freeze, and allowing water to trickle from your faucets will prevent pressure from building up if the pipes do freeze, lowering your risk of a burst pipe.

6. Keep Under-Sink Cabinets Open

If you have exposed pipes under your kitchen or bathroom sinks, keep the cabinet doors open, especially if they’re against exterior walls. Encouraging warm air to circulate around the under-sink pipes will prevent the water inside from freezing.

7. Keep the Garage Closed

With their lack of insulation, garages are already at increased risk of causing plumbing systems inside to freeze. Keeping the garage door closed can help lower this risk, especially if you have a water heater or exposed pipes inside.

8. Locate Your Shut-Off Valve

Most main water shutoff valves are located inside homes, and you can follow any visible water lines to locate the valve. The most common locations are:

• Basements
• Crawl spaces
• Near the water heater
• Near the laundry room
• Exterior walls
• Buried in your yard
• Near your well or pressure tank

If you have a gate valve that looks like a wheel, turn it clockwise to shut off your water. If you have a ball valve that looks like a lever, turn it perpendicular to the water line.

Schedule Pipe Repair in Baltimore With Len The Plumber Heating & Air

If you have cracked, leaky, or burst pipes, Len The Plumber Heating & Air is here to help. Contact our team for same day plumbing repair if you experience:

• No water or slow water flow from faucets
• Frost on exposed pipes
• Unusual banging or gurgling sounds in pipes
• Bulging or cracked pipes
• Water damage or leaks near walls or ceilings

Frozen pipes must be thawed before we can service them. With over 25 years of local service experience and 24/7 emergency plumbing repair availability, we’re confident we can swiftly resolve pipe issues in your home.

Schedule a pipe repair in Baltimore, MD, by calling Len The Plumber Heating & Air today.