How to Prevent Frozen Pipes in a Davenport Winter
Quad Cities winters routinely drop below zero. Here's the 6-step protocol our plumbers use on our own homes to keep pipes from bursting.
Why Davenport pipes freeze (and burst)
When the temperature drops below 20°F for 6+ hours, any pipe with poor insulation or exposure to an exterior wall is at risk. Ice expansion inside a closed pipe builds 40,000 PSI — far beyond what copper or PEX can hold.
The 6-step protocol
1) Disconnect outdoor hoses and shut off hose-bib valves before Thanksgiving. 2) Open cabinet doors under any sink on an exterior wall. 3) Let one cold-water faucet drip pencil-lead thin on the coldest nights. 4) Keep the thermostat at 60°F minimum, even when traveling. 5) Insulate any pipe in an unheated crawl, garage, or attic. 6) Know where your main shutoff is — and that it actually works.
If a pipe already froze
Shut the main off immediately. Open the faucet at the end of the frozen line. Apply gentle heat (hair dryer, heat tape) starting at the faucet end and working back. Never use a torch. If you hear water hissing inside the wall, call us — that's a burst, not just a freeze.
Call Davenport Plumbing 24/7 at (561) 261-2250 or request a callback.