Winter is coming, and with it, the possibility of frozen pipes. There are ways for home and business owners can take measures to prevent frozen pipes. M&M Mechanical knows how very important it is to safeguard your plumbing system against cold weather. Frozen pipes can cause costly repairs, water damage, and major disruptions to your daily routine or business operations. In this article, we have identified some of the most effective methods of protecting pipes from freezing, along with how best to keep your property safe during the colder months.
Why Do Pipes Freeze?
When water in a pipe freezes, it can cause the pipe itself to freeze. Ordinarily, pipes will freeze where there is no heating near them to keep them warm, thus within attics, basements, or exterior walls. As water freezes, it expands inside the pipe and applies extreme pressure to the walls of the pipe. Because of this pressure, the pipes can burst or crack, allowing water to leak out and potentially causing flooding. Knowing the reasons for pipe freezing will go a long way in formulating effective ways of prevention in protecting your plumbing system.
How to Prevent Frozen Pipes: 69 Essential Steps
Prevention of frozen pipes requires a proactive approach and keen attention to details. Some of the key steps you might want to take in protecting your pipes from freezing include the following: Insulate
- Exposed Pipes: In unheated areas, such as the crawl space under the floor, use foam insulation sleeves on the exposed pipes that carry water.
- Seal Air Leaks: Gaps around pipes that pass through walls or floors should be closed to avoid cold air reaching the pipes.
- Keep the heat on: Keep your home or business at a constant temperature, even when you are away.
- Open cabinet doors: Let warm air get to the pipes under sinks and near exterior walls.
- Let the faucets drip: Let cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water is less likely to freeze than standing water.
- Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses: Take off garden hoses and shut off water to outdoor faucets before winter if possible.
Taking these frozen pipe precautionary measures will go a long way in preventing plumbing disasters when cold snaps are experienced.
Other Measures to Safeguard Your Pipes
In addition to the above general measures, other ways you can prevent frozen pipes include the following:
- Heat tapes or heat cables installation: These can be wrapped around the pipes at places that are most vulnerable to providing additional heat.
- Additional insulation: Increase the overall insulation in your attic, basement, and crawl spaces to keep the pipes warmer.
- Relocate exposed pipes: Where possible, consider moving pipes to areas within your home or business that are more protected.
- Install smart temperature sensors: Install devices that will notify you if the temperature has suddenly plummeted near your pipes.
- Seal the cracks in your foundation: Keep cold air from seeping into your home through the foundation by sealing any visible cracks.
- Keep garage doors shut: If you do have water supply lines in the garage, shut the door to keep it warmer.
- Consider installing a hot water recirculation system: This keeps water moving through your pipes and can cut down on the chance of freezing.
Remember, the steps to prevent frozen pipes is a whole lot easier and less expensive than the consequences of bursting pipes.
Winterizing Your Home or Business
It is important that before winter starts to check the parts of your home or business where the pipes are likely to freeze up. Take an extra look at the walls, unheated spaces, and parts of your home that have poor insulation. You may need to hire a professional HVAC technician who will inspect your heating system to ensure efficiency with your heating system to prevent frozen pipes.
It would be a good idea to familiarize yourself with the location of your main water shut-off valve. If a pipe does freeze and then bursts, knowing how to quickly cut off the water supply will minimize property damage.
Stay Vigilant to Prevent Frozen Pipes
It’s important to prevent frozen pipes for homeowners and business owners. By being proactive and watching out during cold weather, you might just be saving your plumbing system from the devastating effects brought about by freezing temperatures. Remember, the key to prevent frozen pipes is to make sure they are warm and insulated.
At M&M Mechanical is to provide our customers install and maintain safe and efficient plumbing systems throughout the year. If frozen pipes pose any level of concern for your home or business, don’t be afraid to reach out.
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