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As temperatures drop during the winter, most homeowners don’t realize that they have to worry about their pipes freezing. As the water temperature fluctuates, the water expands. This force is more than enough to burst the pipes and cause them to break. You may not even realize the extent of the damage until the next year. At which point, you’ll be left with a large bill when you call a plumber.
There are many different ways that you can prevent your pipes from freezing. In fact, if this is a huge concern for you, you should highly consider calling one of our professionals in Knoxville, TN to come take a look at your plumbing situation. We’ll figure out which areas of your plumbing are most susceptible to damage and help you figure out a game plan that will help you avoid a rather huge bill in the future.
This article will look at 3 simple ways that you can prevent your pipes from freezing during the winter. By winterizing your home, you’ll have more to gain than lose. It’s definitely something that’s worth looking into!
Insulate All Pipes, Especially the Ones Outside
Pipes that are not insulated are much more prone to freezing. They are much more susceptible to temporal fluctuations and changes. One of the best ways to prevent your pipes from freezing is to call a plumber and have them inspect your pipes. Ask the professional to let you know which pipes are not insulated, and which ones will be most susceptible to freezing. Your plumber should give you a layout of all of the vulnerable areas and also be able to recommend different types of insulation for you.
There are many different types of insulation. To figure out which one is best for your home, check out the r-value of the insulation. The higher the r-value, the more effective the insulation will be at preventing your pipes from freezing.
Some of the main areas that require insulation include the attic, basement and the exterior of the home. There are usually many areas in the exterior that are left exposed. If you can’t install insulation in those areas, you might want to find some other way to protect the pipes. Some homeowners recommend wrapping the pipes with newspaper and other materials for the time being.
Drain All Sprinkler Systems, Hoses and More
Before the temperature drops, take some time to drain all of the exterior water lines that won’t be used. If you have a pool, make sure that you drain that first. Some of the water lines that you should consider draining include hoses, water sprinkler systems. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions. If you’re not sure what’s the best way to drain the plumbing system, ask your plumber. They’ll be able to provide you with more information.
Most important of all, make sure that you do not put antifreeze in any of these water lines unless you were asked to by a plumber or directed by the manufacturer. Antifreeze is harmful to the environment and can also be dangerous to the landscaping, to pets, to wildlife and to humans.
Last but not least, make sure that you close the inside valves that are supplying the outdoor hose bibs. You should keep the outside hose bibs open, so that water can drain out. Keep the outside valves open as well, so that any excess water has room to expand and move.
Keep the Heat On in Your Home
Last but not least, it’s a good idea to keep the heat on in your home during the winter. Even if you won’t be home, make sure that the heat is still on and above 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Although this may not seem like a big deal, it is. If the heat is on, you can avoid a potentially detrimental situation where multiple areas of your plumbing may have burst.
It may also be a good idea to find a way to warm rooms that are in unheated areas of the home. These areas tend to be the most vulnerable and susceptible. You could, for example, keep a portable heater in the room, so that the temperature doesn’t drop too much.
Another good idea is to keep the garage door, doors and windows in your home closed during the winter. Don’t let a draft in because then you’ll have a much harder time keeping the pipes in a warm environment. If you can, weatherstrip the doors and windows. Weatherstrip is cheap to install, and can make a huge difference in the indoor temperature of your home. You might even want to consider adding insulation to the inner walls. This could not only help prevent your pipes from freezing, but may also help lower your energy bill.
Give Us a Call for More Information
If your pipes are frozen, call a plumber in Knoxville, TN to get it thawed. Don’t try to fix the situation yourself, as you might actually worsen it if you’re not careful or if you don’t have the right tools, equipment and expertise. Our plumbers can come out and take a look at your situation to give you some recommendations on what your next steps should be.
With that said, you should try to avoid getting your pipes frozen in the first place. If you think your pipes are vulnerable to freezing, call one of our plumbers for advice.
To get more information on how you can prevent your pipes from freezing this winter, give My Professional Plumber a call. Our licensed technicians will come and take a look at your home to see what preventative measures can be put in place to prevent your pipes from freezing. We can ask to take this opportunity to look at your plumbing system to see if we can catch any minor problems before they become a huge headache. Give us a call today and see what we can do for you!