Hello, my name is Lelani O’Malley. Welcome to my website about keeping your plumbing system in great shape. When I bought my first home, I was shocked to learn that it was built in the early 1900s. Another shocking discovery awaited as I learned that the plumbing system remained from its original build. Upon learning those facts, I dedicated my time to learning how to keep that system in great condition. I developed this website to bring that knowledge to you as well. I want to help all my readers maintain their existing plumbing system for years to come. Thank you for coming by.
With Temperatures Dropping, Learn How To Prevent Pipes From Freezing
A frozen pipe might not seem like a big deal. You can't get water out of it for a while, but then it thaws and works again—right? While this may happen sometimes, there's also another possibility. The pipe may burst as the water inside it expands as it freezes. Then, you'll have water all over the floor and maybe even down the walls. As you can see, it is best to prevent your pipes from freezing. Here are some ways you can do just that.
Wrap heat tape around exposed pipes.
If you have any pipes that are exposed directly to the elements or are right up against an un-insulated wall, consider wrapping them in heat tape. This is a long strip of electrified tape that you can plug into the wall outlet. When the temperature drops below freezing, you just plug the heat tape in, and it turns on to warm up the pipe.
Keep water on just a trickle.
Wasting water is not ideal, but it's certainly better than coming home to a flooded house. When the temperature gets really cold outside, you can leave faucets that are connected to freeze-prone pipes on just a trickle. This will keep water moving through the pipes so that it does not get cold enough to freeze. If you really do not want to waste the water, you can catch it in your tub or sink and then bail it into the washing machine and use it to do laundry. (Use it to water your plants, or pour it into your toilet to flush it, too.)
Open cabinets.
It's common for pipes that run behind kitchen cabinets to freeze. This is because there's not always a lot of space for insulation behind cabinets. A good way to keep the pipes a bit warmer is to open cupboard doors. This way, any heat from your home will reach them. Just make sure you keep your thermostat turned up a bit to keep the pipes sufficiently warm.
Have your plumber install more insulation.
A good long-term solution is to have your plumber come and apply more insulation to your pipes. This is a great choice if you have a lot of exposed, uninsulated pipes that you may struggle to wrap in heat tape.
Don't let your pipes freeze this winter. With the tips above, they should stay warm and flowing even on the coldest days. For more help, get in touch with a local plumber.