Your pipes are never more vulnerable than in the bitter cold of winter. It only takes one frigid day to freeze your pipes, cutting your home off from a proper water supply and possibly causing the pipes to burst. When pipes freeze and burst, it can easily cause thousands of dollars in water damage. In addition, you’ll have to get professional plumbing repair work done on the pipes to bring them back to working order.
Preventing ice buildup in your pipes is much easier than you think. With these simple tips, you can keep your pipes in proper working order through even the harshest winters.
Add Insulation
Pipe insulation is incredibly cheap and easy to install. You can get it at any hardware store for very low prices. Simply slide it over any exposed pipes in your home, leaving as few gaps as possible. If you can’t find pipe insulation or you need something to combat severely low temperatures, consider installing heat cables around the pipes.
Let the Faucets Drip
One of the main reasons pipes freeze over is stagnation. If the water in the pipes isn’t moving, it’s more liable to freeze. Set all of the faucets in your home to a very slow drip of warm water to help create warmth and water flow in your pipes.
Maintain Consistency with Your Thermostat
Many people will lower the temperature of their thermostat at night to help save some money on heating bills, but this habit presents a significant risk to your pipes. Nighttime is when your pipes need more help than ever to combat the cold. Leave the thermostat at the same temperature during the night as it is during the day. You may lose a few dollars on heating costs, but it’s better than losing thousands of dollars on professional plumbing services and water damage repairs.
In addition, while it is a good idea to lower your thermostat when you’re away from home for numerous days so you don’t unnecessarily waste energy, it’s important to not leave your pipes without any source of warmth. Keep your thermostat set for no lower than 55 degrees when you’re away from home. Keeping the thermostat at this setting will allow the heat to stay on regularly without wasting much energy.
Allow Warm Air to Reach the Pipes
Water pipes are commonly hidden behind cabinet doors and other coverings to prevent them from being an eyesore, but they’re also blocked from the warm air circulating in your home. In order to allow the warm air from bathrooms and kitchens to hit the pipes, leave the cabinet doors open and remove anything blocking the opening.
Taking precautions with your pipes to prevent them from freezing is one of many ways you can ensure that the plumbing in your home remains in good condition, but damages and other issues may happen no matter what. If you need any professional plumbing services, such as repairing burst and frozen pipes, contact Silver State Refrigeration Plumbing.
