Have you ever dealt with frozen pipes in the winter? If so, you know what a pain they can be. When water freezes, it expands. This expansion puts a huge amount of pressure on your pipes and it can cause pipes to burst, making a huge mess of your home.
If they don’t burst, they may crack. This is a less noticeable problem, but it’s still a big deal. As water leaks, your home will accumulate moisture which leads to mold and mildew.
Do you know how to prevent frozen pipes to protect your home? Let’s talk about it. Keep reading for our brief guide for avoiding frozen pipes.
Keep Cabinet Doors Open
When it gets too cold outside it’s a good idea to leave the cabinet doors in your bathroom and kitchen open.
Why is that?
You want as much heat as possible to get to the pipes. The cabinets are dark and cold and they don’t get any air circulation. This makes the pipes more likely to freeze.
When you let the warm air from the rest of the house circulate around the pipes, it keeps them safe.
Apply Heat Tape and Insulation
It’s a good idea to insulate your pipes during the winter. There are several ways to do this on your own.
You can buy pipe insulators. They’re easy to attach to your pipes and easy to remove when the water gets warmer. They look like thick foam and they keep your pipes warm enough to not burst.
You can also apply heat tape (or insulation tape). These are self-adhesive so they’re easy to place and remove as well.
Let the Water Drip
While allowing water to drip isn’t great for the environment, preventing the leakage later makes up for it. But how does it help when it comes to preventing frozen pipes?
When you allow water to drip, you’re keeping it moving. Moving water doesn’t freeze as easily as still water. While that small amount of water may seem inconsequential on the surface, it makes a big difference.
Know When to Call a Plumber
So what if you’ve already done these things but you’re still unsure if it’s enough? What if your pipes have already cracked or burst?
This is when it’s time to contact a plumbing professional.
They know how to prevent frozen pipes and manage pipes that are already frozen before they pose a problem. In the event of a cracked pipe, they can fix that as well.
That’s How to Prevent Frozen Pipes
Knowing how to prevent frozen pipes can be the difference between a dry kitchen and a huge mess. Don’t wait until it’s too late to start protecting your pipes.
These prevention tips are easy to apply, but they make a big difference.
Do you want to keep your home nice and toasty? We’ve got the heating services to help. If you’re a homeowner in Livingston TX, Nacogdoches TX, or Lufkin TX, contact us with any questions or to schedule your service today.
