A master plumber of 40 years told me wrapping pipes does stop them from freezing. He did suggest the last part of that report and that is to drip the outside spigot. If you have a hose attached, get a splitter and drip the other side. I would also suggest, if you know where the pipe is inside the house that goes out to the spigot, put a space heater near that wall to keep the pipes warm.
The styrofoam covers don't work. Did that for an extended freeze we rarely have here in Louisiana, several faucets burst because they froze inside the wall - they literally froze from the inside out. Only a row of bricks protecting them from the outside air.
I put foam cups over outside spigots, and even though they are frost proof in extremely cold I put a trouble light on the inside as close to the pipe as possible to let the warmth of the incandescent bulb keep the pipe inside Warm enough to further prevent freezing.
I did wrap mine a week ago. I used the Styrofoam cup shown in the video, I check the faucets yesterday and the outside is frozen anyway. I even stuffed a rag in the cup to insulate even more. Now I am hearing recommendations to drip. When the temp is in the teens, I just don't see the drip not freezing up and making things worse. There are ice sickles everywhere and all liquid outside is frozen solid. However, now that the water in the pipe is frozen that is not an option. I have done everything that was recommended and it still froze. I am just hoping after the thaw, there is not a leak or break in the pipe.
@Christian Brother: here in Ohio where it gets below freezing regularly , we had a plumber put a shut-off valve in the basement that goes to the outside garden hose faucet . Before winter comes, we close that shut-off valve, then go outside and open up the faucet (a little remaining water runs out of the faucet, then stops on its own) leave it open for the winter. If you have a basement you could do that.
@@sf9595 Thanks for your reply. In Austin, no one has a basement. Years ago my parents had a little weekend condo on a lake. It had the same kind of valve where you could drain the outdoor faucet and shut off, but aside from turning off the main for the whole house, it is a no go. Most homes here are built this way. We hardly ever see snow much less this.
Dripping pipes help 💯 especially on outside walls. Open cabinets and I put a heater on freeze watch on my water heater because it’s placed in an outside closet with no heat.
I have that Plex coming down the wall to a faucet. No basement. Just attic. No way to shut that off. So dripping it was the only way to keep that faucet from freezing. Wish my plumber would have suggested an option
You need to let that pipe drip, it needs to be about the width of a pencil of free moving water. The best way to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting is to allow water to move.
Put a correct cold weather faucet in and install a water shut off in the line before it reaches the faucet. Doesn't cost near as much as water lines breaking. Plus you don't need to waste water. Shut the line off. Open the faucet to drain. Then shut it off. Oh but this is too hard of a retro fix right?
A master plumber of 40 years told me wrapping pipes does stop them from freezing. He did suggest the last part of that report and that is to drip the outside spigot. If you have a hose attached, get a splitter and drip the other side. I would also suggest, if you know where the pipe is inside the house that goes out to the spigot, put a space heater near that wall to keep the pipes warm.
Hey, thanks so much, team!
It seems that the plumber wants to stay in business😅
The styrofoam covers don't work. Did that for an extended freeze we rarely have here in Louisiana, several faucets burst because they froze inside the wall - they literally froze from the inside out. Only a row of bricks protecting them from the outside air.
I put foam cups over outside spigots, and even though they are frost proof in extremely cold I put a trouble light on the inside as close to the pipe as possible to let the warmth of the incandescent bulb keep the pipe inside
Warm enough to further prevent freezing.
That plumber looks like John McEnroe
I did wrap mine a week ago. I used the Styrofoam cup shown in the video, I check the faucets yesterday and the outside is frozen anyway. I even stuffed a rag in the cup to insulate even more. Now I am hearing recommendations to drip. When the temp is in the teens, I just don't see the drip not freezing up and making things worse. There are ice sickles everywhere and all liquid outside is frozen solid. However, now that the water in the pipe is frozen that is not an option. I have done everything that was recommended and it still froze. I am just hoping after the thaw, there is not a leak or break in the pipe.
@Christian Brother: here in Ohio where it gets below freezing regularly , we had a plumber put a shut-off valve in the basement that goes to the outside garden hose faucet . Before winter comes, we close that shut-off valve, then go outside and open up the faucet (a little remaining water runs out of the faucet, then stops on its own) leave it open for the winter. If you have a basement you could do that.
@@sf9595 Thanks for your reply. In Austin, no one has a basement. Years ago my parents had a little weekend condo on a lake. It had the same kind of valve where you could drain the outdoor faucet and shut off, but aside from turning off the main for the whole house, it is a no go. Most homes here are built this way. We hardly ever see snow much less this.
Dripping pipes help 💯 especially on outside walls. Open cabinets and I put a heater on freeze watch on my water heater because it’s placed in an outside closet with no heat.
I have that Plex coming down the wall to a faucet. No basement. Just attic. No way to shut that off. So dripping it was the only way to keep that faucet from freezing. Wish my plumber would have suggested an option
I have had even wraped pipes freeze when its cold enough, best to install electric heaat trace tape with thermostate so it comes on automatically
wait... wrap or drip? Surely not both?
I think you could wrap it just above the faucet spout. So it can still drip normally
Mike looks like prince charles😂
Wow, I didn't know John McEnroe is now a plumber.....
He does favor him
Used this darn styrofoam cup last time and my pipe still busted.
You need to let that pipe drip, it needs to be about the width of a pencil of free moving water. The best way to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting is to allow water to move.
I'm in Austin that little boot didn't help at all
It's the pressure. Not the ice. Release the pressure.
How i can request this insulation piece from amazon ? Kindly advise
He didn’t mention the name of the covering!!!
These coverings are sold at pretty much every hardware store or Home Depot.
Put a correct cold weather faucet in and install a water shut off in the line before it reaches the faucet. Doesn't cost near as much as water lines breaking. Plus you don't need to waste water. Shut the line off. Open the faucet to drain. Then shut it off. Oh but this is too hard of a retro fix right?
Not .50 cents anymore, more like a $1.25 a foot by my house.
Why was foam wrapping shown on picture but no instructions nor showing how to put the little ring on the faucet before pulling the tab. Ugh.
Dude its common sense.
Lol you can’t drip it w that thing on it lol. So it’s either or.
No no a simple drip won't stop the pipes from freezing , that is just a myth!!