The weather will get colder, and it’s a potentially hazardous season, particularly for plumbing. One of the most common problems faced by homeowners during this season is frozen pipes. Inconvenient and costly, not only can they damage your plumbing system, but leaks from them may even result in water damage to the whole home. Therefore, understanding how to protect oneself against frozen pipes in winter is essential. What are the keys to preventing disastrous results and maintaining your pipes in good shape?
1. Insulate Your Pipes
One of the best ways to prevent frozen pipes is insulation. But the most convenient and economical method of preventing your pipes from bursting is insulation. These insulation foam sleeves can be purchased in most hardware stores and slide over the pipes with ease. The foam also keeps the heat inside and prevents freezing of the pipe.
When you insulate your piping, think of the places where water is likely to freeze. They are usually in unheated places like the basement, garage or outdoor taps. Seal holes or cracks through which cold air could enter with insulated spray foam. We at Legacy Plumbing Experts, a Port St. Lucie plumbing company, know that today every household must take care of their own pipes and equipment. We assist you with everything from hydro jetting pesky drain clogs to remodeling your bathroom plumbing and dealing with sewer line issues.
2. Keep Your Home Warm
Another important point in preventing frozen pipes is to keep your home warm. If you have left on a winter vacation, set the heating higher than 55 degrees to prevent pipes from freezing, especially if you have any outside pipes-like hose bibs. Close off the valves and drain them before winter arrives.
The exposed pipes can also be warmed with space heaters in the winter. Do not expose them to flammable objects and do not leave them unattended for a long period of time.
3. Let Your Faucets Drip
By letting your faucets drip is another effective method of prevention. Counterintuitive, perhaps; but it does work. You may let a small amount of water escape, to relieve pressure that accumulates in the pipes and can lead them to freeze. What’s more, running water is less likely to freeze than stagnant water, dripping the faucets just keeps it working and prevents freezing. Thus, don’t forget- dripping can be annoying and inconvenient, but at least it is useful in keeping future repair work from being even more costly.
4. Keep Your Cabinets Open
Another easy way to do so is by keeping your cabinets open—specifically those that are located under sinks and other plumbing fixtures. If you leave those doors open, the warmer air will circulate to keep them above-freezing temperatures. This might be just a small act, but it will help greatly in avoiding a plumbing disaster this winter. So, add it to your winter checklist and feel confident you’re doing your part to keep your home safe and secure.
5. Seal Any Air Leaks
One of the better methods for this is to seal leaks in your house. These leaks let in cold air, making the house temperature fall and freezing any exposed pipe. This is why you should seal off the cracks and gaps in your windows, doors, and walls. Sealing these gaps with weather-stripping, caulk or foam insulation will keep your home warm and pipes from freezing. With just this one precaution taken, you can become freed from the headache and expense of frozen pipes in winter.
6. Disconnect Outdoor Hoses
To avoid frozen water pipes, outdoor hoses should be disconnected before winter arrives. But the water may remain in a hose, unnoticed, and when it freezes bursts through the line. To prevent frozen pipes and costly repairs, disconnect the hoes from them and drain any water which may be left in.
7. Call a Professional
Whether you want to prevent frozen pipes or have already suffered them, ringing a plumber is the best solution. What’s more, they can correctly evaluate your plumbing situation and advise you on what action to take so that the damage doesn’t worsen.
The best preventive moves include insulating your pipes, keeping the home warm, letting faucets drip, opening up cabinets that contain pipes and sealing any gaps through which air might escape. At Legacy Plumbing Experts, we are leaders in this category. We know how crucial a properly functioning system really is, and we strive to provide our customers with all their plumbing needs. From a clogged drain to bathroom renovation, we have the experience and equipment necessary for any job. Contact us today to we see how we can help you.
