Plumbing maintenance problems change throughout seasons. During winter times, more care will be necessary to avoid pipe freeze. The cold season can put your pipes and other systems at risk. This winter, it is important to take extra caution and protect your pipes. If you cannot do this task yourself, consider contacting a plumber in Eureka, McKinleyville, Fortuna CA or Humboldt County.
Frozen pipes are an issue that the residents of California can experience. But it is not just in this area that people face problems. Over 300,000 Americans experience property damage every year due to burst pipes.
As little as half an inch crack in a water pipe can become a major disaster in your home. The temperatures will need to fall below freezing in order for the pipes to turn to ice. In some parts of the US, the outdoor temperature threshold is actually around 30 degrees Fahrenheit before water pipes freeze. During the months of December, January, and February, homeowners experience the most problems with their plumbing systems.
It is important to be fully prepared for a severe winter and prevent the pipes from freezing. By doing some simple maintenance, you can protect pipe ruptures. The moment you stop heat loss from inside the pipes, you will prevent the water from turning to ice.
As the mains water is cold enough when it enters the supply lines, it is subject to frost, especially if your home is cold. However, there are some simple and effective ways to stop this from happening and reduce heat loss. Insulation is the best way to keep pipes from losing heat. Any exposed pipes in your home, both cold and hot, must be covered with foam insulation sleeves.
You should take a look at the crawl space, attic, basement, and anywhere else in the house where there are exposed water pipes. Wrap these pipes with insulation tape or electrical heat tape. Although if you use electrical heat tape, you must make sure you install it in reachable areas.
Another effective way to keep the pipes warm is by circulating air throughout the home. Any plumbing below the floors and inside the walls will benefit from a warm room. It is also important to maintain indoor temperatures of at least 50 degrees and keep the cabinet doors below the kitchen sink open.
If you have vents in the bathroom or kitchen, make sure you shut them in order to prevent outdoor air from entering the property. This also allows heat to stay in the living space and provide some protection against pipe freeze. If your home has an exterior garage door, keep it closed, especially if there are any pipes installed there.
The last tip is to keep the hot and cold faucets throughout the house slightly open at night and allow them to dribble. This prevents them from freezing as there will be less pressure on the pipes. In the event that you do experience a pipe rupture, make sure you contact an experienced plumber in CA immediately.
