6 Effective Tips for Preventing a Busted Pipe During the Winter
Now that the temperatures are going down, many people want to know how they can keep their pipes from bursting. We have six effective tips for preventing a burst pipe during the winter, and they are listed below.
1. Add Temperature Controls to Your Thermostat
This would be a freeze alarm, which will sound when the temperature goes down. You can also do other things to keep your pipes from freezing and bursting. One thing to do is install a hot water circulating pump. This pump monitors the temperature of the pipes so that it can alert the water heater to send hot water into the plumbing system when the temperature drops. This will heat the plumbing and prevent the pipes from freezing.
2. Replace Corroded Pipes
The best thing to do is to have a professional pipe inspection regularly. During the inspection, your plumber may find that some of the pipes are rusted. If so, they can replace them so that they do not have to burst at a later date. As time goes by, pipes naturally begin to rust, and this rust weakens them. This process occurs faster when your water is particularly hard and contains bacteria. A plumber should be able to advise you on how you can slow this process down.
3. Fill Areas That Allow Cold Air to Leak into Your Home
If there are any air leaks near where your pipes are located, you will want to seal those so that the cold air does not reach your vulnerable pipes. Air leaks exist in the pipes, the dryer vents, and around the electrical wiring. You can apply insulation or caulk to prevent the cold air from entering your home. It does not matter how small the leak is if the air is extremely cold. A tiny leak can cause a pipe to burst if the air is cold enough.
4. Redirect Warm Air to Cold Areas in the House
In general, pipes that are located near a window or an outside wall are those that tend to burst. If this is the case for you, you can make sure to redirect warm air toward those areas. A good place to begin looking for pipes that fit this description is your basement. Also, pipes located at the back of the house tend to be in vulnerable areas.
5. Add Insulation in Unheated Areas
A crawl space, garage, attic, or basement are generally unheated locations, so plumbing located in these areas does not receive as much heat as the plumbing in your bathroom or kitchen. You can insulate these locations so that your pipes remain warm and not as likely to burst. Ensuring that your home is well-insulated causes the heater to warm your home more effectively. As the majority of your heated air remains in your home, your heater does not have to work as hard to heat your home, and this keeps your electric bills low.
6. Keep the Thermostat at 55 Degrees
Maintain your thermostat at 55 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and night. When the temperature remains at a constant level all day and all night, the pipes tend to stay warm and are not in as much danger of bursting. Maintaining a steady temperature also keeps your heating system from being stressed, and this is important during the cold months. Also, remember to keep the temperature from dropping down to 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
