How to Prevent Frozen Pipes
Waking up in the freezing morning can be dreadful, but what is worse is when you go to turn on a warm shower to find no water coming out. Temperatures during the winter months can cause frozen pipes. If you would like to avoid frozen pipes, here are some suggestions.
1. Insulation is the key to keeping your pipes from freezing easily. Insulation is meant to retain the heat that is already in the pipe, however. It is not going to be adding heat to it. Fiberglass insulation proves to be the best insulator for pipes, though it can irritate your eyes, skin, and lungs. Rubber insulation is less expensive than fiberglass, and is easier to work with. However, it does not work well with heat tape because it doesn’t provide any barrier for vapor. If you have exposed pipes under your home or outside you could also try using insulation “tubing”. Tubing is also relatively easy to work with, and provides good insulation for colder climates. Use pipe insulation tape on areas that are harder to fit.
2. If you have bathroom pipes that freeze easier than the rest of your home, try using windshield washer fluid. Pour a cupful of the windshield washer fluid down the sink and shower drains, then let it sit there overnight. It will provide an anti-freeze effect so your pipes won’t freeze over.
3. Open the cabinet doors under your sink. This will let warm air from the room circulate around the pipes and keep them warmer. Open the doors in the kitchen and bathrooms especially.
4. If you are a “snow bird” or cabin owner who leave their homes during the wintertime, a freeze alarm may be beneficial to own. The alarm monitors the temperature in your home and can be programmed to alert yourself or a neighbor if the temperature drops below where it needs to. It can be very nice to be warned ahead of time so you can fix the problem so you don’t have to worry about coming home to busted pipes.
5. Once you are done using outside hoses turn off the water supply valve to the outside tap. Be sure that you drain all the standing water from the pipe so it doesn’t freeze in there and keep the tap open. Once the weather turns warm again you can close the outside tap and turn back on the water supply valve.
It’s important to have a trustworthy plumber to take care of your plumbing needs and air conditioning, and heating