Protect Your Plumbing from the Cold

Winter is a time for fun and family. But it’s also the season to be meticulous about home maintenance. Giving your home the extra TLC it needs not only helps you enjoy the festivities, but also helps you avoid costly repairs. Water damage caused by burst pipes is of the biggest issues faced by homeowners over winter according to the Insurance Information Institute. Repairing this water damage can be costly, reports Forbes, with the average cost of water damage restoration costing homeowners between $1,300 and $5,600.

Why Do Pipes Freeze?

When the temperature drops below freezing, water expands and metal cools. This means that the water in pipes expands while the pipes themselves contract, leading to burst pipes and expensive repairs. The temperature below which pipes freeze is -6.67 degrees Celsius reports the Building Research Council at the University of Illinois. With winter lows dipping well below the freezing point in Alberta, it’s best to take precautions to protect plumbing from the cold. Read on for our top winter plumbing care tips.

• Cover Exposed Pipes

Pipes that are exposed to the cold are prone to freezing which means pipes located along exterior walls or unheated spaces like basements, attics, or garages are more susceptible to bursting. Insulating these pipes can go a long way toward protecting them from the cold. There are various types of pipe insulation materials available on the market, from foam to fiberglass, that won’t break the bank. Use a faucet sock to insulate outdoor faucets. 

• Up Your Home’s Insulation

Insulated areas that are typically unheated in your home. This means that the pipes located in these areas will stay warm and prevent them from freezing. Insulating attics and basements will also help your home stay warmer over winter and reduce your heating costs making it a win-win situation. Use rigid foam insulation to cover the inside of your foundation walls, the ends of the floor joists in your crawlspace or basement, and the foundation vents. You can also concentrate your insulation efforts on the exterior facing walls that you know from experience are colder than others.

• Tighten Your Home’s Seals Against Drafts

Reduce the amount of heat lost from your home by making sure that all areas that let in drafts are sealed. Check your window frames and doors by carefully using a candle near them. You’ll notice that the flame flickers in areas where the caulking has eroded. Apply new caulking to seal those leaks to keep the interiors of your home warm.

• Keep Bathroom Cabinet Doors Open

This one takes a bit of getting used to but can make a huge difference to your pipes. Keep the cabinet doors under basins and sinks in your bathrooms and kitchen open. This allows the warm air from your heating reach the pipes and keeps them warm. It’s vital to do this if your basins or kitchen sinks are against an exterior wall. 

• Keep a Tap Running

Running water doesn’t freeze as easily as still. Leave a tap running when the weather gets really cold so that water keeps flowing through the pipes. Even a slow trickle or drip can make the world of a difference. If possible, choose a tap that is furthest away from your water source so that water keeps flowing through the majority of your pipe system. 

• Keep Your Thermostat Consistently Warm

Although it’s tempting to turn your thermostat way down when you know no-one’s home, it’s a good idea to keep it at a consistent temperature when the weather gets really cold. This will make sure that pipes stay warm despite the freezing temperatures outside. The slightly higher utility bills will still be cheaper than dealing with water damage from a burst pipe. Keeping the temperature consistent will also put less of a load on your furnace which means it won’t have to work as hard to keep your home warm. 

• Insulate Your Hot Water Tank

Insulating your hot water tank is just as important as insulating your pipes. This will help keep your water hot and allow you to run it through your taps, warming your pipes as it flows through. 

Call In Your Local Heating Experts

Call in a professional heating maintenance company like W and J Heating to give your furnace and hot water systems a once over if you find it’s having trouble maintaining a consistent temperature or if you notice any warning signs listed in this article.

Get in touch with us to learn more!