How to Winterize Plumbing
Homeowners should take steps to winterize their plumbing to prevent burst pipes. When water freezes, it expands, which means that if water expands in the pipes, the pressure can cause the pipe to rupture. When the temperature drops below freezing, the plumbing may be at risk of freezing.
Certain pipes are more at risk than others, such as underground pipes or pipes in the basement. There are ways that homeowners can protect their plumbing from pipes freezing in the winter. Adding insulation to the pipes is one way to keep them warm so they do not freeze over. In this blog post, plumbing experts share insight on winterizing plumbing.
Are Frozen Pipes Dangerous?
Frozen pipes can be very dangerous because they lead to bursting pipes. A burst pipe can cause mold and mildew to grow in the home, which is hazardous to human health. The cost of repairing the burst pipe and the water damage can be hundreds or thousands of dollars.
A burst water line or sewer line can be a total nightmare for homeowners. Homeowners should take the threat of burst pipes in the winter seriously and take preventative measures. A common disaster in the winter is for a pipe to burst while the homeowners are away on vacation. A burst pipe could completely flood the house while homeowners are not home.
How Pipe Insulation Can Help
Adding pipe insulation, such as foam pipe insulation, is a great way to prevent them from freezing in the winter. Foam pipe insulation is easy to apply and can save homeowners from bursting pipes this winter. Insulating the pipes with extra layers of protection to keep the heat in will also help to keep the utility bills low.
Insulated pipes retain the temperature of hot water as it travels through the pipes, which helps put less strain on the water heater. Homeowners should add pipe covering to their plumbing at the start of the season before the temperatures drop to their lowest. It may only require insulating pipes that are most susceptible to freezing, such as pipes in the basement.
More Tips for Preventing Frozen Pipes
One of the reasons why people's pipes burst while they are away on vacation is because they shut off the heat while they are gone. Homeowners should leave the heat on while they are away so that the home's plumbing does not freeze. Homeowners can also help distribute heat throughout the home by opening doors and cabinets containing hidden pipes.
Letting water slowly drip from a single faucet at all times is a trick for keeping the pipes from freezing. Because there is always water running, it helps prevent the system from freezing entirely. However, leaving the faucet running at extreme temperatures does not help much.
About Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning
Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning is proud to serve Sun Prairie, WI, and the surrounding areas with comprehensive plumbing and HVAC services from expert technicians. Homeowners can count on the Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning team to offer knowledgeable and honest advice and outstanding service. Call them today or schedule an appointment through their website for plumbing maintenance in Sun Prairie, WI. Also, learn more about this article's author here.
