Don’t Let Holiday Festivities Be Ruined By Frozen Pipes!
Whether hosting a family gathering or shutting down the house to do some traveling, homeowners should be careful not to let frozen pipes ruin their plans this holiday season. When pipes freeze, they may burst, leading to flooding, water damage, and canceled plans. Water freezes at 0 degrees Celsius. If the pipes in a house get that cold, the water inside them will freeze. When water freezes, it expands, and this is true of water inside pipes, too. The difference is that as the water inside pipes freezes and expands, it has nowhere to go but out. The pressure will build until the pipe cracks or bursts open.
There are a few steps homeowners can take to prevent burst pipes this winter. The three main actions are insulating the pipes, letting the water drip, and keeping the thermostat consistent.
Properly Insulate Pipes
When a water supply pipe bursts, water will continue to pour out until it is shut off. The continual stream of water can flood parts of the house, causing water damage to floors, walls, and furniture. If unnoticed, the unchecked stream of water will drive up the water bill. Even after the flood has been stopped, the water will leave behind stains, mould, and mildew. The cleanup and repair after a burst pipe will quickly add up. In the end, a burst pipe can be a costly event.
Pipe insulation helps to keep water pipes from getting too cold and freezing. There are a few different types of pipe insulation to choose from:
- Foam: A long tube of heat-resistant foam. Usually grey or black, this type looks similar to a pool noodle, with a slit down the middle. It simply slides over the pipe.
- Fibreglass: Fiberglass insulation just like in the walls of a house, except it’s cut into small pieces about 3 or 4 inches wide. This can be wrapped around the pipe like a ribbon.
- Heat tape: This type is essentially an electrical cord that wraps around the pipe and is plugged into the wall. It generates heat to keep pipes warm.
Homeowners should properly insulate all pipes exposed to the cold, such as those in basements, garages, and crawl spaces. Outdoor pipes and spigots should also be insulated. Wrap as much of the pipe as possible to protect it from the cold.
Let Water Drip
To prevent burst pipes during a cold spell or power outage, turn on a faucet to a slow, steady drip of cold water. Choose a faucet on the opposite side of the house from the water main, as far away from the main water supply as possible. This will force the water to run through the whole system. If that’s not possible, choose a faucet that is directly serviced by exposed pipes, such as those in the basement or garage.
Letting the water drip does not keep the water supply from freezing; even moving water can freeze. Having an open faucet, however, allows for a release of the pressure that builds up during freezing. Keeping one or two faucets at a drip is a temporary but effective way to prevent pipes from bursting.
Keep The Thermostat Consistent
Another critical step in preventing frozen pipes is to keep the house at a moderate temperature around the clock. Even if the house will be vacant for several weeks or months, homeowners should never set their thermostat below 15 degrees Celcius. Anything lower than that will leave household pipes vulnerable to bursting.
An excellent way to keep the thermostat consistent is to install a programmable digital thermostat. This type of thermostat can be programmed to adjust the temperature of the home automatically. For example, the temperature can be set low during the day when no one is home, then turned back up for the evening hours. Then it can be lowered again at bedtime. This is the most energy-efficient way to maintain temperature consistency in the home.
If power outages are common throughout the winter months, it may also be a good idea to invest in a generator. A power generator can at least keep the furnace running during an emergency, which will, in turn, keep the pipes from freezing.
Call On Lodder Brothers Limited
Lodder Brothers Limited has been providing Guelph, ON, with outstanding customer service for over 45 years. Their technicians are experienced in burst pipe repair, repiping, and water leak detection. In the midst of a plumbing crisis, call on Lodder Brothers Limited, available 24/7 for emergency services.
