Kansas City braces for weekend winter cold. Here’s how to keep your pipes from freezing
Kansas City area residents are bundling up for snowy weather followed by arctic temperatures in the area starting Saturday, Jan. 4. Are your pipes prepared?
On Thursday afternoon, the National Weather Service issued a winter storm watch for the Kansas City region from Saturday evening through Sunday. The organization predicts between 4 and 13 inches of snow, with higher totals north of Interstate 70.
During cold weather, if your shower or faucet slow to a drip or stop flowing altogether, you might have a frozen pipe.
On Monday and Tuesday, the area could experience highs of 15 degrees and lows of -4, according to the NWS.
When temperatures drop below 20 degrees for more than six hours, your pipes could freeze, according to an article from Angi, a home maintenance website.
These tips can help reduce your risk of losing water in your home or paying for expensive repairs to a burst pipe.
How can I prevent my pipes from freezing?
Pipes in exterior walls and less insulated areas like attics, basements and crawlspaces are most likely to freeze, according to the American Red Cross. The organization offered suggestions to avoid a potentially expensive freeze.
Insulate both cold and hot pipes with pipe sleeves or electric heat tape.
Expose pipes to warm air by opening kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors.
Leave your faucet dripping to keep water moving through pipes.
Keep your thermostat at the same temperature during the day and night.
Set your heat at 55 degrees or higher if you have to leave your home.
While your energy and water bills might be higher this month, that cost is worth it, according to the Red Cross and Dave Garton, owner and plumber with Plumbline Plumbing in Overland Park.
Garton told The Star in 2024 that “whatever you spend extra on water and gas or electric to heat your home is not even gonna be close to what a plumber’s going to charge you to come out and thaw your pipes or repair a broken line.”
When should I call a plumber if my pipes are frozen?
As soon as possible, since pipes are more likely to burst the longer they stay frozen, Garton said.
The likelihood of your pipe bursting depends on the material, according to Garton. CPVC and copper are the most vulnerable, while galvanized and PEX piping are better at withstanding the cold.
Make an appointment earlier rather than later, since the cold weather can cause issues for many Kansas City residents at once, Zach Buckner, manager at Buckner’s Heating and Cooling in Kansas City, said in 2024.
How can I defrost my pipes on my own?
Try to find exactly where the freeze occurred and heat that area up with a space heater or hairdryer, the American Red Cross recommended. Keep your eye on the heater and don’t use an open flame or gas-powered equipment.
Ryan Ogle, service manager at Stine-Nichols Plumbing in North Kansas City, said in 2024 that a professional will do the same with a heat gun, which is like a high-powered hair dryer. Cover crawlspace vents to avoid drafts and keep up with preventative measures, like keeping your home warm and your taps on.
Have more questions about winter weather in the Kansas City area? Ask the Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com.
