Those squirrels are relentless, aren’t they? I swear, I’ve seen them chew through stuff I wouldn’t have thought possible. Had one get into my attic last year and it looked like a tiny tornado went through the insulation. Metal covers help, but if they want in, they’ll find a way. Sometimes I wonder if they’re just showing off at this point.
You nailed it about the crawl space work being a pain. I always end up covered in dust and cobwebs, but after that one winter where a pipe burst and turned my basement into an ice rink, I’m not taking chances either. It’s funny how you start out thinking “eh, it’ll be fine,” then after one disaster you’re suddenly the world’s biggest fan of overkill.
Thermostatic heat tape is such a game changer though. The old stuff was basically just a money pit—ran all the time whether it needed to or not. The first month with the new tape, my electric bill actually made sense again. Worth every penny, even if it stings a bit at checkout.
I’ve also started using those foam pipe sleeves on top of everything else. Maybe it’s paranoia, but after that one bad freeze, I’m not messing around. Some folks say it’s too much, but honestly, I’d rather spend an afternoon crawling around than deal with another emergency repair at 2am.
Anyway, sounds like you’ve got your bases covered better than most. It’s always a bit of trial and error with these seasonal changes, but you learn quick what works—and what just makes more work for yourself down the line.
I used to think the foam sleeves were overkill too, but after my first winter here, I get it. Had a pipe freeze in the laundry room—didn’t burst, but it was close. Now I’m layering up like it’s a ski trip. Still not convinced about heat tape everywhere though... feels like there’s always some “must-have” gadget for every season, and half of them end up in a box in the garage. But yeah, I’d rather be paranoid than mopping up water at 3am.
Heat tape’s one of those things I go back and forth on too. Is it really worth the hassle for every pipe, or just the ones in the crawlspace that actually get Arctic-level cold? I’ve seen people wrap everything like it’s a Christmas present, but then you’ve got cords everywhere and another thing to remember to unplug. Ever had one fail on you, or is that just my luck? Sometimes I wonder if we’re all just overcomplicating things... but then again, a flooded basement is a pretty good motivator.
I’ve had one fail, but it was on an old, super cheap tape that I probably should’ve replaced years earlier. Honestly, I just use heat tape on the pipes in the crawlspace and the ones that run along exterior walls—never bothered with the whole house. The rest seem fine with just foam insulation. I get what you mean about cords everywhere... it’s a pain, and I’ve definitely forgotten to unplug them in spring more than once. Overkill for every pipe? Probably. But I’d rather deal with a few extra cords than a burst pipe in January.
Can’t blame you for sticking with what works. I’ve had similar luck—heat tape on the trouble spots, foam everywhere else. The cords are annoying, but like you said, it beats mopping up after a burst pipe in the dead of winter. I do try to mark the outlets with painter’s tape as a reminder to unplug in spring... still forget sometimes. Honestly, I think overkill’s better than underestimating a cold snap.