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Protecting Pipes in Winter
January is pretty much one of the most depressing months of the year if you live in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s darker earlier, colder than usual, and there’s always more snow and rain, which makes it one of the most dangerous months for your home, too. Flooding, freezing, and broken boilers are all a risk in January, but if you get on top of it early enough, you can prevent things from going wrong around the home.
Frozen pipes are a huge concern for most homeowners. When the pipes freeze, they are at risk of bursting, which leads to flooding in the home. This can lead to even more issues, and the escape of water makes up a lot of insurance claims through the winter.
The smart thing to do is avoid this with heat shrink tubing and wrapping the pipes as much as possible. In this article, we’re going to discuss all things wintry in regards to your pipes. Let’s take a look at some of the things that you should be doing to make sure that you can protect your pipes this winter.
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Pipes This Winter
Turn up the heating
The first thing that you can do in the winter is to keep your heating on. Not only will you be able to protect the pipes, but you will stop the boiler from seizing up. You want to keep the heating at a low temperature when you’re away, and all through the winter, your pipes and boiler should have the heating at a constant low. This improves the efficiency and prevents the pipes in the walls from freezing, bursting, and causing the inevitable flood.
Add some more insulation
You can’t really have too much insulation, but if you don’t know where to put it, you’re going to struggle. Ensure that you insulate the pipes as much as possible and all areas of the homes where the pipes run, such as the attic, water storage tank, and the walls. The more you have insulation around the pipes, the better they will remain protected!
Call in the repairman
If you want to ensure that your pipes remain efficient, repair the faucets! A constantly dripping faucet will cause huge issues if it freezes, blocking the pip and causing further damage. If you have a leaky faucet, get it fixed as soon as you can.
Keep the water tank door open
You want the warmer air to circulate and reach the pipes as much as possible, and this starts with leaving the water storage cabinet door wide open to enable that to happen. If the cupboards are near the outside wall or have cupboards under your sink, let the doors stand open for a while!
Get your thaw on. If you spot frozen pipes, it’s time to get your thaw on and start using your hairdryer for other reasons than your hair! Protecting the pipes often means getting creative with the things you have at home!
