When the outdoor temperature plummets below freezing, your home's plumbing system is at risk of breakage should the water inside pipes expand because of this cooldown. When a pipe bursts, you are left with damage to building materials and personal belongings. Protect your plumbing system with the following actions to avoid unfortunate pipe burst activity.
Add Layers Of Insulation
Before winter arrives, take the necessary precautionary step in insulating your pipes so they do not become excessively cold. Pipe insulation comes in a few forms and each is easy to apply on your own. Foam sleeves slide over pipes and tape is wrapped around them. If you are unable to get to a hardware store to purchase insulation for your pipes and you discover the temperature is expected to drop, use pieces of clothing or newspaper sheets to wrap around exposed piping in your home.
Keep Pipes As Warm As Possible
Many pipes in your home are located in areas underneath sinks or behind cabinet doors. When freezing outdoors is expected, take the time to expose these pipes so they are subjected to heat in your home. Open doors to allow heat to make its way directly to the pipes behind them. For pipes in your crawlspace, attached garage, or basement, use a space heater nearby to keep them from becoming frozen.
Let Water Drip In Cooler Weather
Turn on faucets to sinks or tubs in your home so that water constantly runs through your pipes when you expect temperatures outdoors to remain below freezing for an excessive time period. A drip is all that is needed to keep water moving. You can use the cold water faucet rather than the hot one so that your water heater does not run. This slow drip keeps water from freezing inside pipes, helping to keep bursting incidents at a minimum.
Turn Off Your Water If Pipes Are Damaged
If you suspect you have a pipe in your home that may burst because of frozen temperatures, turning off the water supply will keep the prospect of damage at a lower level. Turn off the main spigot for the pipes in question. This keeps water from going inside the pipes at all. If a pipe does burst, the water already inside is the only moisture that makes its way inside your home. If the water was not turned off, it would continuously flow if a pipe were to burst.
For more information, contact a company like the Plumb Doctor.
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