If you have ever had a pipe burst in January you know the kind of headache winter brings. 

And if you have got a backflow device sitting outside, unprotected then that thing is just waiting to freeze the second the temperature dips. 

A lot of people nowadays don’t even think about it until spring rolls around and suddenly there is water leaking everywhere or worse, the city tags you with a violation because your system failed.

That is why I figured it’s worth spelling out how to actually keep your backflow device safe when it gets cold.  And trust me it is not that complicated so you do need to get on it before the freeze sets in.

Why Backflow Devices Are at Risk

The truth is that backflow preventers aren’t designed with winter in mind. They sit above the ground where they are exposed to the wind, snow, sleet and all the other weather elements you name it. 

And if there is a little water left inside then it freezes, expands and next thing you know, you are hunting for frozen backflow preventer repair in the middle of January.

And I have seen devices crack straight down the middle after just one hard freeze. It’s not a slow drip either. 

One day you wake up in the morning and see a puddle where the unit should be dry and realize the damage is already done and that is the kind of repair bill nobody wants.

First Line of Defense: Drain the Thing

The easiest way to avoid all that mess is to shut the water off and drain it. This is the number one rule in every backflow maintenance guide you will hear about. 

And if you are not using your irrigation during winter then don’t leave water in the lines. It sounds obvious but you would be surprised how many people skip it and hope for the best.

If you’re handy, you can usually shut off the supply, open the valves, and let it drain out. Some folks use an air compressor to blow out their irrigation lines too, especially when they want to protect their irrigation system’s winter setups. 

I’ll be real with you though if you’ve never done it, it’s easy to mess up. That’s why plumbing winterization services exist. Let a pro do the dirty work, and you know it’s cleared out right.

Insulation Helps More Than You Think

Now not everyone shuts their system down. Maybe you need water running through certain lines year-round. 

In that case insulation becomes your best friend. Wrapping the device with foam pipe covers or those fitted insulated bags designed for backflow device protection winter setups is a simple step that saves you money.

I have seen people throw an old towel or blanket over and think that they are covered. But bad news because that doesn’t cut it. 

You need something that keeps out moisture and blocks the wind. Otherwise the second that icy wind blows through then all that fabric does is get wet and freeze right onto the unit. 

So make sure to invest in a decent cover and after that strap it down and you are ahead of most.

Heat Tape and Other Tricks

Sometimes insulation alone won’t do it especially when temperatures drop into single digits. 

That is when folks turn to heat tape or those little heater cables. They wrap around the pipes, plug in and give just enough warmth to prevent backflow device freezing.

Just don’t get creative with space heaters or propane torches as I have actually seen someone try to thaw their device with a lighter. 

And let’s just say melted plastic and burnt paint weren’t the outcome they expected. So please stick with the products that are made for plumbing use, and you’ll be fine.

How to Tell If Yours Froze Anyway

Let’s say you did your best but winter still wins. How do you know? A frozen preventer usually shows itself in one of three ways:

• A split in the brass or plastic housing.

• Valves that don’t move or are stuck solid.

• Water starts leaking once things warm up.
  

The moment you see that don’t wait around. Call for frozen backflow preventer repair right away because the longer you leave a cracked unit in place the higher the chance you are dealing with leaks and contaminated water.

Don’t Forget the Irrigation Lines!

While we are at it let’s not pretend the backflow preventer is the only piece that matters. The lines feeding into it can freeze too especially the ones close to the surface. 

This is why pros always talk about backflow winterization tips as part of overall irrigation care. 

So make sure to shut it down, blow it out and you won’t have to deal with busted sprinkler heads come spring.

Why Calling a Pro Saves Headaches

Look anyone can DIY some of this like doing a Drain, wrapping and maybe even throw on some insulation. 

But professionals offering plumbing winterization services take it a step further. And they will not only winterize the backflow device but also check for weak spots in the system, test the valves and make sure everything is ready to go once spring comes back.

On top of that most licensed plumbers like Backflow Joe’s include testing as part of regular service which means your device gets checked against local codes too so you are not staring down fines or surprise violations. 

Just think of it as insurance like a little upfront cost to avoid a big ugly bill later.

A Real-World Example

Last winter I had a neighbor who thought tossing an old blanket over his backflow device would be enough. 

Two weeks into a cold snap the thing split clean in half and not only did he need a new preventer but the leak sprayed onto his siding and iced up his walkway. That’s not just a repair bill it is a safety hazard.

Meanwhile mine was wrapped with proper backflow preventer insulation and drained ahead of time with zero issues at all and that is the difference a little prep makes.

Final Word

The point here is simple people water freezes, ice expands and plumbing doesn’t forgive. If you want to avoid mid winter emergencies then please don’t put off backflow prep. 

Whether it’s shutting it down completely, adding insulation or calling a pro for backflow device protection winter work. The real time to act is before the first real frost.

Backflow Joe’s makes it easy to stay ahead of the freeze. From preventing backflow device freezing to full plumbing winterization service their team knows what it takes to keep your system safe. 

And they can easily handle everything from irrigation blowouts to backflow maintenance guide checks so you don’t have to guess.

So don’t wait until ice does the damage. Book your service today at Backflow Joe’s and get real peace of mind for the coming winter.