Oklahoma homeowners know that winters here can be unpredictable. One week it's 60°F; the next, a polar vortex drops temperatures to single digits overnight. That kind of rapid freeze is exactly what causes pipes to burst — and a burst pipe can dump hundreds of gallons of water into your home before you even realize what happened.
The good news: frozen pipes are almost entirely preventable with a few low-cost steps taken before temperatures drop. Here's what every Ponca City homeowner should do.
Any pipe in an unheated space is at risk — garage, crawl space, attic, or exterior wall. Foam pipe insulation sleeves (available at any hardware store for under $1 per foot) slip right over your pipes and dramatically reduce the chance of freezing. This is the single most effective step you can take.
A garden hose left connected to an outdoor spigot traps water against the shutoff valve inside your home's exterior wall. When that water freezes and expands, it can crack the valve and the supply pipe behind it. Disconnect all hoses before the first freeze and store them inside.
Sprinkler and drip irrigation lines are usually the most exposed pipes on your property. Shut off the system's main valve and use the bleeder valve to drain any remaining water. If your system has a backflow preventer, that is especially vulnerable to freeze damage — insulate or drain it.
Cold air infiltrating through gaps in exterior walls can freeze nearby pipes even if the indoor temperature is comfortable. Check for gaps around where pipes pass through exterior walls (under sinks, behind the washing machine, in utility rooms) and seal them with spray foam or caulk.
In an emergency, the ability to shut off water to your entire home in 10 seconds can save thousands in damage. Locate your main water shutoff valve now — before you need it in a panic at 2 AM. In most Ponca City homes it's in the utility room, garage, or near the water meter. Make sure everyone in the household knows where it is and how to use it.
When temperatures drop below 20°F, let cold-side faucets on exterior walls drip slowly. Moving water is much harder to freeze than still water. A slow drip — just enough to fill a cup in 60 seconds — is enough to prevent freezing in most cases.
Pipes under sinks on exterior walls (especially kitchen and bathroom sinks) are insulated from room heat by closed cabinet doors. Open them during a hard freeze so warm household air can circulate around the pipes.
If you're leaving town during a cold snap, do not set the thermostat below 55°F — even in an empty house. The cost of a few extra heating days is nothing compared to one burst pipe. Also, keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
Call us now or request a free estimate online — we'll get back to you within the hour.