Winter brings a lot to think about when you live in this part of the country. Shoveling yourself out early enough to make it into work on time, for instance. Planning ahead to ensure that you get home safely. Snow days for the kids, and so on. That's without mentioning the stress that winter can put on your home. We are going to mention it, though, because you don't want it to catch you off-guard! Certainly not when it affects your plumbing system.
How might winter affect your plumbing system? First and foremost, it can lead to your pipes freezing up. You may think that the fact that there is no snow in the driveway means that winter isn't taking its toll on any particular day. That feeling will disappear when you go to take a shower and water cannot pass through your pipes, though. Here are some tips from our plumbers in Hartford about how you can avoid frozen pipes this winter.
Yes, You Should Let Some Water Trickle Through Pipes
Sometimes we look at old bits of advice a little too critically. Those homeowners that are environmentally conscious in particular may have an issue with the idea of "wasting water" by allowing it to just go down the drain. If you really think that you're wasting water by using it in this way, however, think again.
Sure, you may not be using the water to cook or clean with. And sure, it may be going right down the drain. However, that water is still being used, and it is worth paying for. Trust us, the actual amount that you'll be paying for that water is going to pale in comparison to the money that you'll spend on the cleanup and repairs needed when frozen pipes burst.
Open Up Drawers and Cabinets
Wait, what? We know, we know. It sounds like a pretty strange suggestion. How can leaving your kitchen and bathroom cabinets and drawers open possibly benefit you? It will look strange, and you may even bang into them in the middle of the night! Valid points, perhaps, but you are overlooking how important airflow is in preventing damages to pipes caused by freezing.
You heat your home, obviously, and leaving those drawers and cabinets open will allow the heat in your home to keep pipes passing through those areas warm. That can mean the difference between pipes that freeze up and pipes that don't. So yes, it may be mildly inconvenient, but it's well worth it to open these spaces up to better airflow.
Insulate Your Pipes
We normally advise against DIY plumbing services, but any somewhat handy homeowner can actually handle this one. When you insulate your pipes, you help to prevent damages caused by their freezing. And it is very cheap and very easy to do.
Just buy some pipe insulating tubes, cut them down to size, and stick them on exposed pipe. There you have it—we said it was easy! It's literally just going to cost you a few dollars and a few minutes of your time, and it is very effective in the fight against the freeze!
Schedule your plumbing services with us. Live more comfortably, choose Dynamic Mechanical.