Arctic Blast: How to Protect Your Pipes From Freezing

As a blast of freezing Artic air makes its way south, swaths of the United States will be plunged into a bitter cold in the coming days, particularly in Texas where temperatures could drop to the single digits.

In weather as cold as this, there are also dangers to homes to prepare for, like frozen pipes.

"Learning how to insulate your home properly is something that everyone should be aware of. You can't just rebuild your home from scratch and for some buildings, it can be challenging to make the changes needed," Chris Harvey, a heating specialist from radiator specialist organization Stelrad told Newsweek.

Frozen pipes can be a huge problem for homes, as they can prevent hot water from flowing, and stop heating from working properly. Frozen pipes can also burst, causing leaks and floods.

Here's how best to protect your home in freezing temperatures:

What is an Arctic blast?

The Arctic blast hitting the U.S. ​is causing temperatures as low as 1 degree Fahrenheit in some areas.

The blast refers to temperatures that will not rise about freezing, caused when the polar vortex expands. The vortex is low-pressure, cold air areas that surround the North and South Poles. When it expands, it can send a swoop of air far down south, causing a flurry of snow storms and freezing winds.

Arctic blasts are not unusual in the Northern hemisphere during the winter.

Preparing your house for freezing temperatures

Amid the dropping temperatures, many vulnerable people will be at risk. But there are a few simple steps homeowners can take to make to prevent their houses from becoming too cold.

"Whilst we can all make changes inside our homes to keep up warm, such as adding thicker curtains, placing rugs on your floor or wearing more layers in your own home, it's important that we take the necessary steps regarding the house's structure, no matter how big or small," Harvey said.

Installing radiator reflector panels can ensure that homeowners are getting the most out of their heating bills.

"[Radiator reflector panels are] a great way to keep the heat in your room, instead of letting it escape through your walls," Harvey said. "This will help reduce the heat loss in your home, but they should only be put behind radiators that are on external walls."

A lot of cold weather can sneak into your home through the windows, even if they are closed.

"Another option to consider is draught-proofing your windows. You can simply apply self-adhesive foam tape to a window frame and make sure you also check for cracks in the window frames and surrounding walls as well," Harvey said.

"Whilst this might sound obvious, make sure to keep all doors closed. Leaving doors open is a fast way to let heat escape a room, and will mean you're more likely to turn the central heating up in the evening," he continued. "You should also make sure windows are closed, however, with the extra heat coming from a radiator and the cold air outside, it's important to open your windows for a short time in the day to help the moisture leave your home so you don't have to worry about mold growing.'

What pipes to cover during a freeze

Pipes on the outside of houses such as drainpipes and overflow pipes should be covered with heat cables that are thermostatically controlled, or heat tape to insulate them and prevent them from freezing.

It is not just outside pipes, in the thick of the cold weather, that are at risk of freezing, however. Pipes in colder areas of your home, like unused spaces, and basements should also be covered.

"One thing that people forget to do is to make sure that they insulate their water tank, pipes and even the radiator," Harvey said. "This is a quick, easy, and most importantly, affordable way to save money on your energy bills. A hot water cylinder jacket as well as pipe insulation should be relatively cheap and is as simple as just choosing the correct size and putting it around your pipes."

The American Red Cross advises homeowners to drain water from swimming pools, sprinklers and outdoor hoses. This will ensure there is no water left in pipes to freeze.

During the cold weather period, homeowners should also let the cold water drip out of any faucets that are served by outside pipes. A flow of water will make it less likely to freeze.

Keeping the heating on at home can also help prevent frozen pipes, the American Red Cross says. Although this may result in a costly heating bill, damage caused by frozen pipes can be much more expensive.

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