There’s a lot to worry about when it comes to getting your home ready for winter.
And a popular question is:
How to make sure pipes don’t freeze?
Well, it doesn’t need to be a mystery anymore, there are simple measures you can take to create the comfort your family needs in a home. Scroll down to see what we’re talking about!
"To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake it is necessary to stand out in the cold." - Aristotle
Open Cabinet Doors
Most houses have pipes located inside cabinets, so when the temperature drops, keeping those cabinets doors open will help the heat from the heating system to keep pipes warm too. Just be careful not to leave any cleaners or household chemical products lying around if you have children or pet that can easily get to the open cabinets.
One more tip: leave all interior doors open! Bedrooms, bathrooms, living room...leave them all open so the warm air can circulate better throughout the whole house.
On the same note, if there are water supply lines in the garage, keep those doors closed at all times!
Leave Heat On
Of course, if you’re staying home during the cold weather, you will most definitely leave the heat on at all times. However, if you plan to go away for a while, the thermostat should still be left turned on. Leave it at a temperature above 55º F and your pipes should be safe for the season.
Add Insulation
Insulation is one of the most efficient methods to maintain high temperatures in areas such as the attic, the basement, and crawl spaces - places where pipes are usually located. So getting the proper insulation installed will help in the task of keeping pipes from freezing.
Of course, if you have problems with freezing pipes on other rooms of the house, insulation can be the answer as well. That’s because insulation also prevents drafts, and seals cracks or openings around windows and doors.
Use Heating Tape
The heating tape solution is for easily accessible pipes since the tape can be applied directly onto the pipe. You should be a bit more careful in case you go with this option because, much like space heaters, they can be dangerous.
There’s two types of heating tapes you can use:
- The one that turns on and off by itself
- The one that needs to be plugged in and unplugged as needed
Let the Faucet Drip
This might not be the best solution for your water bills (or for the sake of the planet), but in most serious cases, it can be helpful. By allowing the faucet to drip, it helps to relieve pressure in the system and prevent pipes from bursting.
Bursting pipes are a common issue once they freeze during the cold weather because it happens when pressure builds up in a frozen pipe. So when you let the faucet open, even the slightest dripping can already help with this situation.
To avoid wasting water, you can leave it dripping on a bucket or a container and use this water on your plants, to wash something by hand or to clean.
Need help with your home insulation? Get a free quote from the best local professional!
More from homeyou:
- How to Keep Pipes from Freezing
- How to Open Your Fireplace for the Winter
- 5 Warning Signs Your Heating System Is Unsafe