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Winter will soon make its presence known in Canada, and now is the best time to start preparing your plumbing system to help prevent frozen pipes. Every year, winter wreaks havoc in homes all over the city. Frozen pipes are common in households, and in the coldest parts of winter, the frost penetrates the ground deep down to where the mains are, causing them to break under pressure. Don't be a victim this year! By using the tips in this post, you will be able to prevent frozen pipes early on already.
The Risks That Frozen Pipes Pose
Frozen water expands, which is why frozen pipes often burst. A burst pipe can cause more problems, especially when the water escapes and causes damage to your walls, furniture, walls, carpets, and floor joints. Apart from the imminent damage, it can lead to the growth of mildew and mold, which can pose serious health risks.
The pipes in your attic or outside your home are most exposed, posing the biggest risk of becoming frozen.
How Do I Know I Have Frozen Pipes?
If it's cold and no water comes out when you turn on the faucet, you likely have frozen pipes. You should call a Toronto Plumber right away.
When you have a burst pipe, you should turn the main water valve off right away, and keep the faucets open until the plumber has repaired the burst pipe.
Preventing Frozen Pipes and Burst Pipes
Prevention starts right now, if you don't want frozen pipes or burst pipes this winter. If you're planning on being out of town, your pipes should be prepared for winter now. You should drain the entire system of water before you leave, by shutting off the mains and opening the faucets. Insulation will also go a long way to preventing frozen pipes. Some homeowners have gone as far as to calling a Toronto master plumber to relocate their pipes.
Here are some of our best tips for preventing frozen pipes:
1. When there is an increased risk of freezing, run your water to keep the pipes from freezing. You can run it at around 1.4 or 0.5cm during mid-April. The cost for the extra water will come to around $3 or $4, which is a lot less than repairing frozen pipes.
2. Keep your indoor air temperature above 8 degrees Celsius, especially in parts of the home that contain pipes, and around your meter.
3. Look for draughts in different areas of your home and find ways to prevent the cold air from flowing in those areas. Pay special attention to the garage, under bathroom and kitchen cabinets, in the garage, in the basement and crawl space.
4. Insulate both the cold and hot water pipes in the cooler areas of the home.
5. Install products that are made specifically for the purpose of insulating water pipes on exposed pipes.
6. Learn how to use your shut-off valve.
7. Keep the garage door closed during very cold spells and be sure that the pipes are insulated there too.
8. Warm your home up by insulating cooler areas, ensuring that doors close properly and by repairing broken windows.
9. Winterize your outside faucets by turning off the supply line and disconnecting hoses. The line should be drained.
Don't take a chance hoping that this year won't be too cold. For a few bucks, you could get your home insulated and winterized, saving you thousands of dollars in potential damages due to frozen pipes. Call Anta Plumbing for assistance and expert advice.
