Winter is on its way, and with it comes the
need to winterize your home. One area
you can’t afford to take any chances with is that of preparing your plumbing
pipe-work for the freezing cold weather.
If you’ve ever been unfortunate enough to experience a frozen pipe
problem, then you are well aware of the risks of bursting pipes and the
resulting water damage. Avoid this
common winter mishap by adhering to these three simple ways to prevent frozen
pipes:
Keep
pipes warm.
You may find exposed pipes in your home’s crawlspace and/or attic
area. Simply surround pipes with
insulation material – the more the better.
If you live in an especially extreme winter weather area, then you may
even want to wrap your pipes with heat cables (controlled through your
thermostat) or heat tape. Simply follow
the manufacturer’s instructions for the proper installation method. Additionally, when the temperature drops,
make it a point to open all of your cabinet doors in order to allow the heat
into the back wall spaces where your pipes are located.
Seal
air leaks.
Even the tiniest leak from the outside in can let in enough cold air to
freeze your pipes. Examine your home
thoroughly for any spaces that might be vulnerable to an air leak (spaces
around outdoor-to-indoor pipes, electrical wiring, air ducts, and dryer vents
are the most common culprits, as well as attic spaces and crawl areas), and
then seal off any leaks you find with a combination of caulk and insulation, as
is appropriate for the space.
The
water system.
It is a good idea to leave a faucet running (with warm water) throughout
the day and night whenever the freezing winter weather kicks in. If you can, choose a faucet connected to an
outside wall, as the cold can very easily come in through even the smallest
outdoor pipes (garden hose pipes, for example). If you are planning on leaving your home unattended
for an extended period of time during the winter, then you should shut off your
water supply and drain the water system completely before going on your
travels.