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How to Defrost and Protect Pipes

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DIFFICULTY RATING: (2 out of 5 - Easy)

Exposure to temperatures below 20 degrees can cause pipes to freeze and break. A few simple steps can help protect pipes from freezing or defrost them when they do.
Step 4: Protecting a pipe: Use insulation, tape or foam.
If the pipe runs along an outside wall, try to slide insulation in the space between the pipe and the wall to protect it from the cold. For additional insulation, use insulation tape to wrap the entire length of the pipe. A foam sleeve will also do the trick.
Wrap the pipe with insulation tape.

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Aluminum foil (Buy) Electric heating tape (Buy)
Electrical tape (Buy) Heat gun (Buy)
Insulation (Buy) Insulation tape (Buy)
Never use an open flame torch to defrost pipes as this can damage the pipes or start a fire. Be sure to replace uncertified heat tape that is more than three years old with new tape that meets standards.

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Text by Benjamin Hardy
BobVila.com






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