Freeze Prevention

Every winter, I receive many phone calls and emails from people with frozen pipes. The conversations are most always the same. They did not take the necessary precautions to prevent freezing pipes, and now they need help before the problem gets more serious. My response is the same every time. In order to prevent frozen pipes, actions must be taken PRIOR to the pipes freezing up.

Fortunately, methods for thawing frozen pipes do exist. However, none of them are as effective as complete prevention of the problem.  Most people are familiar with a few preventative methods, but there’s a good chance you aren’t reading this unless you are still having problems.  Below are what I have found to be the most effective ways to prevent freezing.

Heat tape is a favored method, but also has many drawbacks. It can be a hassle to set up and maintain. Imagine wrapping a tape around every pipe in your house, or even over the length of one pipe. I don’t think that i need to write what is problematic about this one.  It works is some cases where temperatures don’t dip too far below freezing, but much of the heat from the tape gets lost in the air.

Insulation is another obvious way to prevent freezing. However, in sub-zero temperatures, insulation will not do much good, no matter how many layers you apply. The biggest problem with insulation is that it is really only beneficial when the temperatures are at least reasonable.  Obviously every house should have insulation, but in no way should it be the only prevention method.

Powerblanket pipe thawers are a new technology which have caught my eye. They utilize a heat spreading technology which eliminates hot/cold spots, and delivers a uniform barrier of warmth to anything it touches. They come in many different sizes, but all have one main purpose. Fighting cold.  Just wrap a Powerblanket around your pipes, plug it in, and walk away.

Powerblanket heats up fast, easy to use, and effective at fighting cold weather problems (thawing, melting snow & ice, curing concrete, warming barrels & drums, etc).  From now on, Powerblanket.com is where i’m sending anybody with any questions. CALL 877-927-6432.  Powerblanket pipe thawing and snow melting blankets are available at these fine locations: