If you live in an area where it tends to get cold in the winter, you should be concerned about the possibility of freezing pipes. Some pipes in your home may be more in danger of freezing than others, depending on where they are located. Pipes that are more prone to freezing include those in exposed areas or that are in areas that are unconditioned, such as in the crawl space or within exterior walls.
Here in North Idaho, it can get very cold during the winter. There are many different strategies to protect your plumbing during the freezing winter months, however possibly the most effective method is to invest in spray foam insulation for your pipes. We are proud to serve Coeur d’Alene, Sandpoint, and all of Kootenai County with top notch insulation services. We can help you to insulate all areas within your home, including your plumbing which may be vulnerable to freezing.
Any pipes in your home that may be exposed to freezing temperatures could be in danger. When the water inside of the pipe is allowed to freeze, it is likely to become blocked up with ice, and may even burst due to the resulting increase and internal pressure. Pipes that may be located in crawl spaces or attics, or within exterior walls may be especially vulnerable. You can prevent this from happening through the application of spray foam.
Solutions to Prevent Frozen Pipes
When it comes to the use of spray foam, there are two different options for insulating your pipes. The two types of spray foam are open-cell and closed-cell. Closed-cell insulation is an excellent product that is very durable and provides protection against moisture. It can be used in indoor and outdoor environments. However, open-cell spray foam is generally recommended for use indoors inside tasks such as pipe insulation, due to the fact that it is cheaper and has the ability to expand more.
Open-cell spray foam will expand as much as 120 times its original size just moments after the initial application. This property allows it to easily seal up any gaps around pipes. The ability of open-cell foam to get in all the nooks and crannies, and it’s low-cost make it a great choice to protect your pipes against freezing during the wintertime.
You may want to consider insulating the areas in your home where the pipes are located, as well as applying insulation directly to the pipes themselves. This will further reduce the risk of your pipes freezing, and you will also benefit from increased energy savings.
Evergreen Insulation highly recommends a comprehensive insulation strategy applied to the whole home. This means ensuring that all areas of the home are insulated, not just the pipes. Ensuring that your attic, basement, and crawlspace are all properly insulated will not only keep your home warm and cozy during the winter but also reduce your monthly energy bill as well as protect against damages such as frozen pipes.