Cold weather not only offers discomfort, but it’s also brutal on the pipes running through your home. In low temperatures that remain below freezing, water has a chance of becoming ice within pipes, resulting in expansion. The expanded ice occupies space in the pipes, building internal pressure that can lead to rupture or total bursting of the pipes. Nobody wants to deal with these costly repairs, especially during winter, so Avoiding Leaks in Winter to preventing these problems makes perfect sense.
Insulation of Pipes Shields Them
Avoiding Leaks in Winter You can think of insulating pipes as clothes for plumbing during winter. Pipes at cold spots require maximum protection. Get some foam insulating sleeves from your local hardware store; They are cheap and very easy to install by sliding onto pipes and tapping them. If you can’t find the time to reach the hardware store, wrap the pipes with some old blankets or some thick newspapers to offer them protection until you can do it properly.
Let Your Faucets Drip on the Coldest Nights
When a cold front hits and significantly drops the temperature, turn on your faucets just enough so they drip slowly. Water in motion is difficult to freeze than motionless water. The minuscule amount of extra water that you might have to use is nothing compared to the costs involved in fixing your burst pipes. Another quick tip would be to swing the cabinet doors open underneath your bathroom and kitchen sinks to allow warm air from the house to circulate toward the pipes.
Your Water Heater Also Needs Some Attention
Winter acts like a truck on your water heater because everyone is in desperate need of prolonged hot showers on a freaking cold day. To Avoid Leaks in Winter Pay attention to weird sounds, such as banging or rumbling coming from the tank. Your pipes will usually tell you something’s wrong before they actually burst. If your bill shoots up for no apparent reason, you may have a hidden leak somewhere in your walls or under your foundation.
Everyone Should Know How to Stop the Water Flow
Here’s something important that most people overlook. Ensure every adult in your home knows the location of the main water shutoff valve and how to use it. You’ll usually find it where the water line comes into your home from the street. Find it right now if you don’t know where it is, and take a test turn to make sure it’s not stuck.
A sudden drop in water pressure, noises in the plumbing system upon turning on the tap, or an occasional rusty or brownish tint to the water are alarming signs. If you notice frost building on any exposed pipes, take action immediately. And keep an eye on your water bill.
Conclusion
Set aside an hour this weekend to walk through your house and check your pipes. Buy whatever supplies you need. Prevention is the most savvy move you can make. Your future self will thank you when your plumbing runs smoothly all winter while your neighbors are dealing with frozen pipe emergencies.