We all know that Hamilton winters can get cold to the point where everything freezes. One of the things that could freeze are the pipes in your home, which can be a homeowner’s biggest fear. Frozen pipes can burst and cause massive flooding in your home, which could cost thousands of dollars to repair. Here is what you can do to avoid freezing pipes.
What causes a pipe to freeze?
To understand how to prevent pipes from freezing, it’s important to understand why they freeze in the first place. On frigid days, the pipes in your home may be exposed to cold enough temperatures to freeze the water inside them. It is most common in water lines that run along the outside walls of your home or the main water pipe coming into the home.
Why are freezing pipes dangerous?
It’s generally a pain to deal with when pipes freeze because it means the water isn’t running to your faucet properly, however the real danger is that water expands when it freezes, which means it takes up more space. The pipes in your home are not usually overly large, so the water taking up extra space can cause the pipe to burst.
How can you prevent a pipe from freezing?
Preventing the pipes in your home from freezing can save you a lot of money and time in repairs.
The first thing you can do is ensure that the pipes in your home are well insulated. Even for pipes running along the exterior of your home, insulating them properly can ensure that they don’t freeze if they are exposed to frigid temperatures.
Next, you should ensure that you – and anyone else who lives in your home – knows where the main water shut-off is to the house. Knowing how to shut off the water can help lessen the damage if a pipe does burst and you are waiting for the emergency plumber. You may also want to check before winter comes each year to ensure the main shut-off valve is in proper working condition.
If you can seal any air leaks coming into your home – specifically around windows and doors – this can also help to keep the cold air out and ensure the pipes in your home stay warm.
If you’re worried about pipes freezing as the temperature drops
When those Hamilton temperatures start falling, you may be worried that the pipes will freeze – especially if you have an older home.
When it gets cold, you can turn a faucet on in your basement – just barely a trickle. Moving water through your pipes makes it difficult to freeze the water. Furthermore, you can open any cabinets or doors with pipes behind them, exposing them to heat and keeping them from freezing.
If you’re concerned a pipe is starting to freeze, you can use a space heater or insulate the pipes with warm towels to keep it from completely freezing.
With a few small steps, you can easily prevent the pipes in your Hamilton home from freezing, so you don’t have to worry about repairing damage to your home.
Contact McKenna Plumbing today
If you are concerned that your pipes have been damaged due to freezing, we can help. Contact us today to arrange for a plumber to visit your home.