Pipe Protection: Avoiding Winter Plumbing Woes
When summer turns to autumn and autumn turns to winter, you can always sense changes in the air both literally and figuratively. You're probably preparing for the holidays and the upcoming year: parties, family trips and bundling up indoors. The onslaught of freezing weather doesn't just affect you; it also affects your home, especially where plumbing matters are concerned. Avoid the pandemonium of a burst pipe or frozen fiasco with these simple winter-proof solutions.
First, insulate your pipes. When temperatures fall below freezing, you would never leave your home wearing shorts and a tank top. Your pipes deserve the same courtesy! Exposed pipes freeze quickly, which may lead to problems with your faucets, water heater and main lines. You have two options here: insulating tape or pipe sleeves made out of foam. If your fixtures are fully exposed, you might consider putting a space heater nearby. If you do so, remember to place the heater where it will not pose a fire hazard.
During any other time of the year, you take care to use as little water as possible. When the temperature dips below freezing, however, running your taps more frequently is a necessary evil. Water that is moving cannot freeze, so this is your best protection against frozen or burst pipes. It is not necessary to do this 24/7; instead, you need only do so starting in the evening and overnight. The stream coming through each faucet should be no larger than the width of a standard pencil. This is just enough to prevent freezing, but not enough to send your water bill through the roof. Use the cold tap, otherwise you may wake up with no hot water left for your shower.
When near-freezing water fills the pipes under your sink, the heat throughout your home does not circulate behind cabinet doors. If you forget to run the tap overnight, this water may freeze and cause your pipes to burst. You can prevent this by opening the cabinet doors under your sink, allowing in just enough warmth to prevent freezing.
Now that summer is gone and you no longer water your lawn daily, you are advised to disconnect your garden hose. Under freezing conditions, water in the hose can solidify, causing an intense increase in pressure. When this happens, you are at risk of having a burst pipe, leak or broken water line. These damages are significant, not to mention pricey to repair.
One telltale sign of potential pipe problems is a sudden decrease in water pressure. Watch for these changes in your faucets, showers and bathtubs. This drop in pressure is the result of a restricted water flow, which is typically caused by a buildup of ice in your pipes. If this occurs, it is important to contact a plumber as soon as possible. Left unchecked, this minor annoyance could turn into something far more disastrous.
As the days get shorter and colder, you find yourself preparing for the festivities and fun of the winter season. With so much to do, the last thing you need is a plumbing disaster. Following each of these guidelines is so simple (not to mention free) that you can easily complete them in a single day. Neglect them and you might find yourself spending your Christmas bonus on a plumber instead of on presents!
