Frozen pipes can be quite a headache for you as a homeowner. You could experience this when it’s extremely cold, and the water in your plumbing system starts to freeze. Water in this state can be problematic because it expands, putting too much pressure on your pipes. As a result, your water lines can burst, causing property damage that might cost you a fortune in repairs.
If your pipes don’t rupture because of ice, they may crack. This can lead to leaks around the house that can cause significant structural damage over time. Besides that, this issue could allow mold to thrive in your home. Consequently, you and your family might start experiencing health complications such as allergies, flu, or asthma symptoms.
It’s, therefore, essential to protect your plumbing system when the weather is unfriendly to prevent problems that result from pipe freezing. Some of the things you could do when it’s too cold in your area may include the following course of action:
1. Ensure Temperatures In Your House Are Consistent
Maintaining consistent temperatures in your home may be an efficient measure if you’re thinking of how to prevent frozen pipes. Usually, you might lower your thermostat at night to reduce your heating expenses. However, doing so could cost you significantly when it’s too cold in your area. Suddenly lowering your thermostat might cause your pipes to freeze. Therefore, during winter or when it’s too cold, ensure the temperature in your house is the same both day and night.
In some instances, your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) might malfunction in the cold season. This may be because ice or debris has clogged your condenser coil, causing the system to overheat and stop functioning. If this happens, you need a readily available company to repair your heating system in inwood. This way, you’ll reduce the risk of your plumbing pipes freezing.
If you’re planning to travel, it may be advisable to leave your thermostat at 55°F. Also, ensure you have a friend checking on your HVAC system regularly to ensure it’s in good condition.
2. Open Your Cabinet Doors
In many houses, plumbing lines run through bathroom and kitchen cabinets. In most cases, these storage areas are often dark and rarely allow air circulation inside them. So, when it’s too cold, they could promote pipe freezing.
It may be best to leave your cabinet doors open when temperatures are low outside. This way, the warm air in your house can reach the plumbing lines, preventing pipes from freezing. However, when doing so, ensure you remove detergents, medicines, and other toxic items from your cabinets. If children and pets ingest these poisonous substances, they could experience health complications such as respiratory problems or death.
3. Ensure Proper Pipe Insulation
Plumbing pipes located in basements, garages, attics, and other unheated areas in your home are usually more vulnerable to freezing. Those that run through kitchen and bathroom cabinets face the same danger, too. Insulating such pipes can be a good move to prevent ice from forming in them.
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You could use several kinds of materials to cover your plumbing lines. For instance, you can consider foam, fiberglass, rubber, or polyethylene. The best type might depend on the pipes you have in your home and your area’s climate. If you’re planning to remodel your kitchen, it may be better to insulate your plumbing lines before the cold season starts. Whether you’re remaking your house or just want to protect your water pipes, it’s best to consult a local plumber before buying and installing any insulation materials. They might tell you what type of coverage is most suitable for your home.
After insulating your water lines, it’s good to monitor your pipes regularly. In some cases, materials used to cover plumbing systems might need to be repaired or replaced. This may be necessary if they’ve come off or the tape used to secure the materials have come undone.
4. Cut Off Outdoor Water Supply
Cutting off the outdoor water supply when it gets too cold could also help prevent pipe freezing. This is an essential step even though you’ve insulated your plumbing system. You can disconnect your garden hose and drain outdoor faucets. Failing to do so might put your pipes at risk because water trapped in these fixtures could freeze, causing your plumbing lines to rupture or crack eventually.
Conclusion
Protecting your water system is essential when it’s too cold in your area. As you’ve learned, frozen plumbing lines can crack or burst, causing significant problems in your home. Fortunately, the tips mentioned above may be helpful to prevent frozen pipes from happening in your home. Just carefully follow all the instructions and you’ll be well prepared from experiencing such problems.