When it comes to winter weather, you can’t be too careful with your water pipes – and if you’re in Chelsea, Ann Arbor or any of the surrounding communities, you know how cold it’s about to get this winter.

And that means you should insulate the pipes in your home that run along outside walls or that are in your attic or basement.

Here’s how.

How to Insulate Water Pipes in Your Home

There are a few types of water type insulation you can use: wraps, sleeves and faucet covers.

How to Use a Wrap to Insulate Your Pipes

Traditional pipe wrap insulation comes in a variety of materials, like flexible foam, foam and foil combinations, bubble film, natural cotton and rubber. Usually, it’s pretty easy to install – all you have to do is duct tape insulation to one end and wrap it around (unless it’s self-adhesive, which means you won’t need duct tape after all) until you reach the other end. Overlap the wrapping by at least 0.5 inches each time around. Don’t leave any of the pipe exposed, and then tape the end in place.

How to Use Sleeve Insulation on Your Water Pipes

Sleeve insulation is typically good for long pieces of straight pipe. It’s often available in 6-foot lengths and at different diameters. The sides of the insulation are pre-split, so all you do is place each side over the pipe and tape it shut. Even if the sleeves are self-adhesive, it’s a good idea to tape them shut.

How to Use Faucet Covers to Protect Your Pipes

Faucet covers are self-explanatory – they’ll come with directions. Some are rigid foam, and some are locking devices that look a lot more complicated than they actually are. Follow the manufacturer’s directions and you’ll be fine.

Do You Need to Talk to a Disaster Remediation Expert in Ann Arbor?

If you’ve had a disaster in Chelsea or Ann Arbor, whether it’s water damagefire damage or something else, we may be able to help you start moving forward again.

Call us at 734-352-9183 or contact us online so we can schedule an appointment to analyze the situation and help you get back on track.