Prevention is key. Here are 6 practical methods for shielding your pipes from the harsh winter weather.
1- Cover Your Crawl Spaces
Make a temporary cover out of foam for your crawl spaces to keep the chilly winds away. You can prevent the cold air from reaching your pipes by sealing up these spaces.
2- Disconnect Your Garden Hoses
After seasonal maintenance, disconnect and store garden hoses. Open outside faucets and close shut-off valves to prevent pipe damage.
3- Insulate Exposed Pipes
Insulate pipes along outer walls or in cold areas like garages. Without proper insulation, pipes may succumb to freezing temperatures. Consider wrapping them in insulation materials or heating wire.
4- Open Bathroom and Kitchen Cabinet Doors
Prevent cracked pipes by keeping your bathroom and kitchen sink cabinets open. This allows warmer air to circulate in areas that face the coldest temperatures.
5- Let Taps Drip
In freezing temperatures let a trickle of water flow from faucets. This is not a permanent solution, but the continuous flow prevents freezing and keeps uninsulated pipes from freezing.
6- Seal Any Air Leaks
Seal the gaps and cracks in your walls to keep the cold air out. Also, close the garage door when you are not using it, as any open garage doors create massive air leaks.
When do you need to call for backup? If you are struggling with frozen pipes and those pipes are behind a wall or the ceiling, are fractured or leaking, or you’re unable to thaw the pipes, you should contact a plumber.
Call our licensed plumbers at PR Plumbing on (905) 429-9622 now.