As winter draws closer, so too does the need to prepare for the inevitable occurrence of pipes freezing.
Since water expands when it freezes, the pressure that creates increases the chances that frozen pipes burst. To avoid the many costly plumbing issues associated with the winter season, the professionals at Drain Pro Plumbing has some tips on how to avoid frozen pipes in the winter season.
Insulate Your Home
Insulating your house from drafts is a great, long-term solution to keep your pipes from freezing. Attics, basements, and crawlspaces are especially key when insulating your house. Any cracks or openings around doors and windows should also be sealed shut. This will maintain higher temperatures in your home and reduces the likelihood that your pipes will become frozen.
Regulate Your Thermostat
Thermostat maintenance can also prevent frozen water pipes. It may be tempting to set it back to save some money but all that money can disappear if you have to pay for winter plumbing issues. Keeping a steady temperature of 21 degrees Celsius or higher during the day and night can keep your pipes from freezing.
Let Your Faucets Drip
Allowing water to drip from a faucet supplied through an exposed pipe is a small but helpful way to stop frozen pipes from bursting. Moving water is less likely to freeze and can also reduce any built-up ice in the lines. A little trickle is more than enough to reduce the possibility of your pipes becoming frozen.
Open Cabinet Doors
Opening the doors around your indoor plumbing allows air to circulate around them and keeps your pipes from freezing. This is particularly useful for sinks that are attached to exterior walls. If those locations contain harmful chemicals like cleaning supplies, please move them somewhere children cannot reach. In addition to this, closing garage doors, especially if water supply lines run through the garage, can prevent cold air from icing up your plumbing.
Drain Exterior Pipes
Any water lines leading outdoors should be shut off and drained. The outdoor pipes are at a higher risk of bursting from frozen water since they are located in areas where heat and insulation are non- existent.
Use Heating Pads
Applying heating tape to exposed pipes can provide an extra layer of defense against frozen pipes.
Manual heating tape will require to power it on and off when needed. Self-monitoring heating tape can sense when the pipes need heating and automatically turn on and off as required.
Turn Off Water Main
In the case of an extended absence or power outage, you should turn off the water main and drain as much water as possible from the house. Turn on taps, flush toilets, empty washing machines, and drain hot water tanks to fully drain the house during your absence or during the outage. If there is no water in the pipes, it cannot freeze, expand and burst your pipes.
Drain Pro Plumbing Service – Nights, Weekends, Whenever
By following these simple steps, you can keep your plumbing intact, free from any kind of freezing, and eliminate any need to spend money on winter plumbing issues.
However, if any plumbing issues pop up please , and Drain Pro Plumbing will provide honest, professional, and reliable plumbing service. We provide same-day appointments