How to avoid frozen pipes?
It is not a secret for anyone, the winter season can bring very low temperatures. When the temperatures drop to sub-zero levels, the water that travels on a daily basis to supply your home’s faucets and fixtures runs the risk of freezing solid inside the pipes. Because water expands when it freezes, pipes that are frozen are more likely to burst than pipes that are not frozen. This can result in expensive water and plumbing damage throughout your home. Pipes that are located in areas of the home that are not heated and do not have insulation, such as the attic, the basement, or the garage, have a much higher probability of freezing than other pipes.
It is important to understand how to prevent frozen pipes and what necessary steps need to be taken in order to protect your pipes when the temperatures drop. Keep reading to find out some easy ways to prevent the pipes in your home from freezing over and to maintain water flow even when the temperature gets a bit harsh.
- Always disconnect your garden hoses
Disconnect, drain, and put away your hoses when you have finished caring for your garden for the season. Turn on the faucet outside and close any shut-off valves that supply the outdoor hose bibs. This will allow water to drain from the line. Maintaining an open connection through the winter will provide breathing room for any water that has frozen inside the pipe as it expands. During the winter months, added protection against frozen pipes can be obtained by purchasing faucet covers at Hardware stores. In addition, make sure that any sprinkler supply lines that contain water are drained according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer.
- Consider insulating your pipes
Insulation for pipes can be purchased at a low cost and is often available in most home improvement stores. It is a good idea to insulate any pipes that are placed in locations that are not heated, such as the garage, the attic, the basement, or the crawl spaces. When temperatures drop to dangerously low levels, the water supply lines that run beneath sinks in the bathroom and kitchen could freeze. In order to act as a barrier against the icy temperatures, generous amounts of foam insulation should be used. Keeping your pipes warm enough to prevent freezing can also be accomplished by wrapping them with heat tape or using thermostatically controlled heat cables.
- Stop any air from escaping.
Conduct a thorough search of your home to find any openings or crevices that could allow chilly air to enter. Fill in any holes that may be surrounding the piping in the interior or external walls of your home, as well as the sill plates, which are located where the foundation of your home meets the walls. In addition, because keeping the door to your garage open is the same as generating a massive air leak, you should never leave it open unless you are going in or out of the building.
- Allow for airflow within your house
During periods of extreme cold, you should make sure that warm air can move freely throughout your home. Keep interior doors slightly ajar and open cupboards in the kitchen and bathroom to ensure an even distribution of heat throughout the space. If you have young children or pets in the house, you should put away any potentially hazardous cleansers and household chemicals that are stored in open cabinets.
- Keep a steady temperature throughout your home.
Adjust the settings on your thermostat so that the room temperature remains stable throughout the day and night. In normal conditions, lowering the temperature on your thermostat at night or when you are away from home can help you save money on heating; however, when the temperature is extremely low, keeping the temperature constant is essential to preventing the formation of ice in your pipes. In addition, if you are going to be away from home during the cold weather, you should make sure that your thermostat is set to at least 13 degrees Celsius. The few more pounds that will be added to your electricity bill will be well worth the thousands of pounds that will be saved if you are able to avoid a pipe rupture.
Hopefully, this article has given you all the tools you need to avoid frozen pipes. But if you are unfortunate to experience this anyways, we would advise turning your tap off first. You probably have an ice blockage if all that comes out is a drip or a trickle. The exposed pipe should then be carefully inspected for breaks or cracks. If any pipes burst, shut off the house’s main water supply. If you try to defrost a frozen pipe that has already burst, water may spill out and flood your house. Lastly, get in contact with a professional plumber as soon as possible.
At Rapid Drainage, we provide professional local drainage services to solve any plumbing issues. So if you worry about frozen pipes get in contact with us.