Please don’t regard us as the bearers of bad news. With September now underway, we realize that the summer season hasn’t yet come to an end. However, when the “ember” months begin, it’s only sensible for all of us to prepare for the inevitable. The fall season officially gets underway on the 22nd of this month. That means that cooler temperatures are on the way. Before you know it, we’ll be dealing with extreme cold. Again, don’t shoot the messenger!
As a homeowner, the time is now to begin concerning yourself with how to prepare your home for the winter. That includes finding ways to keep your pipes from freezing.
Insulate your pipes.
Consider your pipes your kids. It’s a weird suggestion, we know. But you wouldn’t let your children outside, on a cold day, without bundling up, right? Insulation is like a warm winter coat for your plumbing. When pipes in your basement, attic and crawl spaces are exposed to cold temperatures, they are more likely to freeze. Wrap them in foam insulation or fibreglass sleeves so that they can maintain a steady temperature.
You can also opt for heat tape or thermostatically controlled heat cables to insulate your pipes. While doing so, be sure to check for gaps or areas where the insulation might be thin. Remember that frozen pipes can disrupt the water supply to your home and potentially burst. This can lead to significant water damage and repair costs.
Detach and drain your outdoor hoses.
A common fall tradition in Canada should be to remove your outdoor water hoses. You certainly don’t need to water the grass or wash your car in the winter, right? Firstly, be sure to turn off the water supply to the faucets located in your garage and backyard. Then, go ahead and remove the hoses from the taps. Once removed, turn on the tap to drain the water from the pipes.
Let the faucets drip.
In our last blog, we addressed the question of how to prevent frozen pipes by suggesting you let your faucets drip just a little. While it may seem like a wasteful idea, the objective here is to keep water moving through your pipes. This makes it a lot harder for them to freeze. Remember that water expands when it is frozen. Your pipes are always full, which is why you get a flow of water instantly when you turn the tap.
When the faucet is closed, the water doesn’t move. Thus, it can freeze quicker. With water moving through your pipes, even on very cold days, it relieves the pressure in the system, reducing the chance of freezing.
Open up the cabinet doors.
Our last blog also noted the benefits of keeping your cabinet doors open. When the doors underneath your sink are ajar, they enable warm air from the home to circulate around the pipes. “Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing, especially if your sinks are on an exterior wall,” recommends Mary H.J. Farrell of Consumer Reports, “(If you have small children, be sure to remove any harmful cleaners and household chemicals.)”
As always, for any and all expert plumbing advice, please don’t hesitate to give your friends at 2 Bro’s Plumbing a call at 905-556-0790. You may also email us at admin@2brosplumbing.ca.
