The Best Way To Prevent Your Pipes From Freezing

The phrase global warming suggests the planet is getting hotter and you won’t need to worry about frozen water pipes. In fact, global warming is the increase in atmospheric temperature which is leading to more extreme weather. In short, the heat is creating more humidity in the atmosphere which is creating more rainfall and lower temperatures.

Now is a good time to check your pipes and make sure they are protected as much as possible from freezing.

Don’t forget that freezing pipes are more likely to burst, causing a leak, possible flooding at home, and a call to emergency plumbing services Sydney. Fortunately, you can stop your pipes from freezing by taking a few simple measures.

Insulation

The first step is to identify all the pipes in your home and, especially, all the pipes outside your home. The most vulnerable pipes are outside your home or under it. These are the pipes that are most exposed to the elements and, therefore, most likely to freeze.

You should note buried pipes don’t usually freeze as the soil retains its heat surprisingly well.

All exposed pipework, even that inside your home, should be wrapped with insulation. You can purchase pipe insulation at your local store and add it in minutes. External pipes that aren’t buried at least a foot under the soil line should be wrapped in insulation and then, if possible, boxed in to add extra protection.

Maintaining Temperature

The next step is to consider the temperature inside your home. You can’t heat the air outside your home but you can ensure that all areas of your home remain a couple of degrees above freezing. This will dramatically reduce the possibility of your pipes freezing inside your home.

Keeping The Water Moving

If you have external pipes and the temperature is dropping rapidly then the insulation you’ve placed on the pipes may not be enough. In this instance, you need to help prevent the water from freezing by leaving your tap on very slightly. A slow drip is enough to keep the water moving in the pipes. This makes it much harder to freeze.

Although there is a cost to having your tap dripping all night, this is significantly less than having to get a plumber to replace all the leaking pipes and joins.

Allowing Airflow

While it may seem like you’ve covered the garage and under the floor properly, you also need to consider the plumbing inside your home. Open the cupboards under your sink and you’ll see the exposed pipework.

The temperature in the cupboard can be significantly lower than the temperature in your home. That’s why you need to leave the cupboard doors open on cold days and nights, it will help to ensure they stay at the same temperature as the rest of your home. This will prevent them from freezing and you from having a headache.

Don’t forget, if you’re trying to keep your house, and therefore your pipes, warm, you should seal any gaps around the home, keeping the cold wind out.

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