How to Prevent Frozen Pipes This Winter in Greenville, SC
Why Greenville Homes Are at Risk
Greenville doesn't see the extended deep freezes of northern climates, but that's part of the problem β many homes here weren't built with the same level of pipe insulation as houses in consistently cold regions. When a sudden cold snap does hit the Upstate, exposed pipes in crawl spaces, garages, and exterior walls can freeze quickly.
Freezing water expands, and that expansion can crack even a sturdy copper or PVC pipe. The break often doesn't become obvious until the ice thaws and water starts leaking or spraying from the damaged section.
Pipes Most at Risk
- Pipes running through unheated crawl spaces
- Supply lines in garages or exterior walls
- Outdoor hose bibs and irrigation lines
- Pipes near unheated basement windows
Steps to Protect Your Pipes
Insulate exposed pipes in crawl spaces and garages with foam pipe sleeves, which are inexpensive and simple to install before a forecasted cold snap.
Disconnect and drain garden hoses, and shut off exterior hose bib valves if your home has interior shutoffs available.
During an extended freeze warning, let faucets served by exposed pipes drip slightly, since moving water is less likely to freeze solid.
Keep cabinet doors under sinks open during a cold snap to let warmer household air reach the pipes underneath.
If a Pipe Does Freeze
If you notice a frozen pipe before it bursts β reduced or no water flow from a specific fixture during cold weather β shut off your main water valve as a precaution and call a plumber rather than attempting to thaw it yourself with an open flame, which can create a fire risk or cause a weakened pipe to fail unexpectedly.