February 17, 2021
A blast of cold weather can cause a concern for freezing pipes in a home, particularly in the attic. Homes built on a concrete slab routinely run water pipes through the attic, distributing it to areas of the home where water is needed. Often these attic pipes are not insulated, and, consequently, freezing temperatures in the attic of mid-20’s or below can cause water pipes to freeze and burst. Then when the pipes thaw, a stream of water is sprayed out of the break. A pipe break of 1/4 inch can unleash a torrent of water of about 600 gallons an hour, enough to make a terrible mess. Consider the following solutions to prevent freezing pipes.
A burst attic pipe can cause huge damage to your home. If you’re in area experiencing temperatures below 20 degrees, it’s time to take action now to prevent attic pipes from freezing!
1 | Insulate exposed pipes
It is not enough just to lay batts of fiberglass insulation or loose cellulose insulation over the pipe. You need to use foam pipe insulation sleeves on all the areas of exposed pipe. These sleeves surround the pipes completely and prevent freezing. You may need to custom cut pieces of the sleeves to fit where joints are made for tees, elbows, and other irregular spans of pipe. Foam pipe insulation is specially designed for this purpose. Use it on all exposed attic pipes.
2 | Install heat tape
If you have a problem area of pipe, you can install pipe heat tape to keep pipes from freezing. Heat in the tape is controlled by thermostat so the heat will only come on when the surrounding temperature gets near freezing. When activated, the tape consumes about 5 watts per foot of tape, so a problem length of 6 feet would consume about 30 watts of electricity. Because of safety concerns, pipe heat tape needs to be installed by a licensed electrician or plumber.
3 | Consider PEX piping
Installing PEX pipe in the attic instead of rigid copper pipe will help prevent frozen pipes. PEX pipe is a special kind of polyethylene pipe that is somewhat flexible and will expand a bit when water freezes in it. However, if you experience extremely cold weather, PEX pipe can freeze and break also.
4 | Insulate under your roof
Insulating just under the roofing will help regulate your attic temperatures by preventing your house heat from escaping through the roof. This also helps prevent ice dams from forming on the lower part of your roofing if you have snow along with very cold weather. Insulting under your roofing will save a considerable amount on your heating bill by preventing heat loss.
5 | Keep taps dripping
Letting faucets run a small stream of water will prevent pipes from freezing. This is because running water doesn’t freeze nearly as fast as still water. This solution is used when you experience cold weather at night and then it warms up during the day. It is a kind of quick, emergency approach to preventing frozen pipes. While there is still a chance of pipes freezing even with the drip, keeping water moving lessens pressure in the pipes and lowers risk of pipes bursting which is often the bigger issue. Continue to listen to your city’s guidance on water conservation and whether pipe drips are recommended in your area.
Protect your roof
We’ve been in the roofing business for over 30 years and have hardly seen the likes of this winter weather in Texas! Just goes to show that anything is possible, and being prepared is the best defense we have against the worst of freezing temperatures.
Start some of these measures now to prevent frozen pipes in your attic, or be prepared to end up with a real mess. And when the snow clears (hopefully soon!) be sure to have your roof inspected for leaks and damage. Collected moisture can compromise your roof’s integrity and cause bigger problems down the line. We’re here to help, so call us to check out your roof and ensure it made it through the freeze safely!
Need a roof inspection?
We have over 30 years experience with all types of roofs including asphalt shingles, tile, and metal. From repairs to full roof replacements, we’re your go-to roofers, so give us a call!