Plumbing Style Today 11-1-2017

Homeowners often neglect to winterize their outside hose spigots. Even “Frost Free” hose spigots require some attention to assure that they perform properly.

Anyone who has ever placed a soda can in the freezer knows that liquid expands in a closed system and can rupture its container.  Plumbing pipes are no different.  Water freezes at @32Degrees Fahrenheit. When water freezes it is slowing down. Water molecules are vibrating and sliding over one another. As water starts to freeze, natural attractions and repulsions (like magnets) cause the water to rest in a crystalline hexagonal shape. This shape is larger than that of water and requires more space. The attractions and repulsions of the molecules are very strong, just like trying to force 2 like sides of a magnet together. There are so many of these bonds and repulsions that together they can rupture almost any container.  

Our only option is to prevent the water from freezing in the pipes. That means adding heat and preventing heat loss sufficiently to keep the water temperature in the pipes above 32 degrees F.

How do I keep my spigot from freezing?

• Step 1- On Frost Free spigots. Disconnect garden hose from spigot.  Having a garden how attached to the spigot renders the frost free design of the spigot useless, it will still freeze.
• Step 2- On non frost free spigots, turn the valve to the spigot off inside the house. Turn the spigot on outside. If there is no valve inside to shut off spigot you should contact us to schedule to install one.
• Step 3- Make sure that the temperature in your crawlspace or basement never goes below 33degrees F.  We sell a temperature alarm for just this purpose. Contact us for pricing.
• Step 4- Insulation only buys time. Insulation by itself only slows the loss of heat. To prevent freezing you must add heat from a heating source. The heating source should be adequate to counter act the heat loss of the cold. This is an important concept. A candle in a snowstorm will not keep pipes from freezing, make sure enough consistent heat is being added!