We all know how harsh Canadian winters can be, with the dropping temperature water start freezing which can be a big disaster for your pipes and your pockets. When the water present in the pipes start freeing it expands, the pressure inside the pipes starts building up which can lead to crack or holes in the pipes and eventually burst.
Being in such a situation can be one of the worst nightmares, repairing damaged pipes is expensive so it is extremely important to prevent the pipes from freezing in advance. We will talk about 6 effective ways that you can use to prevent frozen pipes and keep everyone safe.
Insulate your Vulnerable Pipes
There are insulation materials that can be used to cover the pipes which will keep the pipes warm and prevent water inside them from freezing. This method is a great fix for frozen pipes. One should always keep in mind that there are some pipes that are more vulnerable to cold such as garage pipes which will require more attention.
Using insulation materials is effective, less costly, and time-saving as compared to repairing or replacing a completely damaged pipe.
Keep the Heat On
We all tend to turn off the heat when no one is home for few days, keeping the heat off can cause the pipes in your house to freeze. If there is a sudden drop in temperature the risk of the pipe bursting increases. Such a situation can cause the whole house to flood.
It’s true that keeping the heat on all the time can be a huge burden for the pockets. So, it better to keep the temperature at least 55°f. This way you can prevent frozen pipes while keeping the energy bills low.
Opening the faucet, a little
Running water inside the pipes is less likely to freeze compared to standing water. This does not mean opening all the faucets in the house. Identify the pipes that are more exposed to low temperatures such as pipes in the garage, bathroom, or any place that has inconsistent heating. Finding these pipes and having even a little flow of water will be less likely to freeze.
The flowing water will prevent the frozen ice from clogging the pipe and will also reduce the pressure that will keep the pipes safe.
Even distribution of heat
Another remedy for frozen pipes is to keep the temperature inside your house consistent in different locations. There are places like cabinets in the kitchen and bathrooms that have pipes that can freeze during a temperature drop because they have less heat around them.
To prevent water from freezing in such pipes it is better to keep the doors of the cabinets and other doors inside your house open. This will cause flow of heat and even distribution of temperature around the house the cause and will keep the pipes warm.
Repair Cracks and holes
Before the winter arrives, it is important to do a thorough inspection of the house to identify any holes, cracks in the walls, near windows, and around pipes. These cracks can cause outside cold airflow into your house and disturb the insulation inside.
It is important to seal all the holes on the wall or floor to maintain the insulation and keep the piping in your home warm.
Use Heating Cables
Using heating cables also known as heating tapes can be very useful for outdoor piping which is in contact with significantly low temperatures. There are different heating cables available and are mostly divided into two main categories automatic and manual heating cables. The automatic cables start heating the pipes whenever there is a drop in temperature whereas the manual pipes have to be taken care of personally.
Before working with the heating cables, it is important to read the manual carefully to set up them the right way and to keep everyone safe.
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Cayuga wants you to make sure you thoroughly inspect your home and follow these tips to protect your pipes from bursting without breaking your wallet. Keep your loved ones warm and comfortable this year with our helpful tips.
