subject: Tips To Prevent Frozen Pipes Or Pipe Bursts [print this page] As water freezes, it expands in volume, putting the lines in danger when the pressure suddenly increases and the walls of the pipe cannot bear it. Below are some of the preventive measures you can take in order to prevent this from happening:
Insulate your lines Keep the lines warmer by providing insulation. Pipes that are exposed in places such as attics and under the house are more likely to freeze during winter. Wrap them well with pipe insulators to provide warmth and to protect them from extreme cold.
Caulk every leak or hole you may find inside the house because air drafts can enter inside the house through these holes, causing pipes to freeze.
Let your faucets drip During the night, turn on every kitchen and bathroom faucet and let the water run slowly or trickle because flowing water does not freeze immediately like stagnant water does. When you let faucets drip, the pressure build up is less, as well as its tendency to freeze.
Keep your house warm If possible, the thermostat in all parts of your house should be kept to at least about 55F. Open drawers and cupboards to allow warm air to circulate in these areas to prevent the pipes from freezing.
Drain your lines In order to completely fix the problem, let the water drain out from all your plumbing lines. If your lines have no water in them, frozen and broken lines are less likely to occur. Turn off the main water supply before you let the water drain out of the lines. The best way is to run the faucet in your bathtub or another large vessel, and to drain the remaining water from an outdoor tap.
By following these prevention tips above, you can guarantee that there will be fewer chances for the pipes to freeze or burst, causing freezing cold water to leak all through the house. This can damage the flooring and walls, and this can lead to large expenses due to costly repairs. If there is a possibility that a pipe is likely to burst, this is the best time to call in a professional to assess and solve this problem.
