When cold weather hits, pipes freezing and bursting is a very real possibility – not to mention a concerning and expensive one. Without the proper preventive measures taken, ruptured pipes can do a lot of damage to a property, costing homeowners at least $5000 in repairs. 

It helps a little if you know how to look for the best emergency plumber, since they should be able to handle replacing your pipes as soon as possible after they’ve burst – barring other customers with the same problem. But it would help even more if you didn’t have to deal with burst or frozen pipes in the first place. 

That said, here are some of the best tips to help keep pipes from freezing when temperatures drop. 

Move Exposed Pipes

Does your plumbing system have any pipes that are outdoors or in an otherwise unprotected area? If so, it’s in your best interest to move them. Don’t attempt to turn this into a DIY project, though; make sure you get a professional plumber to help you relocate those exposed pipes. 

That relocation project would be a good time to make sure any cracked pipes are repaired or replaced, too, as cracked pipes will let more cold air in; then it will be easier for those pipes to freeze.

Insulate Your Pipes 

This is especially helpful in protecting pipes in unheated areas of your house – the garage or the basement, for example. Not only will insulation keep pipes from freezing, but it will also help prevent hot water from cooling as it goes from the water tank to your faucets, which can then help you save a little money on heating costs. 

Seal Crawl Spaces

If cold air can get into a space, any pipes there are at risk of freezing. So if you have a crawl space or two in your house, then it’s best to seal them so air can’t get in. This may be a minor inconvenience, especially if you later have a plumber come over and they need to access the pipes in that space. However, that’s a small price to pay compared to how much you’d be shelling out to repair the damage from a burst pipe. 

Keep A Tap Dripping

We understand the need to lessen your water usage, but if you want to keep your pipes from freezing, having a tap open even to just a relatively slow drip will be a big help in two ways. First, water won’t freeze as easily if it’s running, so even a slow drip will be enough. Second, if there’s a drop in water pressure, you’ll be able to tell thanks to the tap you left open. 

Open Interior Doors

Keeping doors open – including bathroom doors – will help ensure that heat circulates your home freely. Besides manually setting your thermostat to a certain temperature, keeping interior doors open is another way to consistently keep all rooms at roughly the same temperature, therefore adding another layer of protection against pipes freezing.

Homeowners are sometimes faced with various plumbing problems that can either be easily addressed or otherwise. In terms of the former, you may simply rely on videos over the internet in an attempt to resolve your plumbing problem. Contrary, you may need the help of seasoned plumbers when it comes to the latter. Nevertheless, this article lists down some of the answers to the most common plumbing questions to help you.

Can I use chemical drain cleaners?          

The answer is yes, but you have to take note that not only is this hazardous, but it can also cause damage to your pipes. According to a licensed blocked drain plumber, while you are free to decide whether you should use a chemical drain cleaner or not, it is still a better option to steer clear of it. In this case, you should use a natural drain cleaner instead. Otherwise, you can always seek the help of professional plumbers who will be able to help you when it comes to drain cleaning.

Why is my toilet running?

When it comes to running toilets, the most common question is what causes it. More often than not, it can be caused by damage in your toilet such as a flapper not closing. Sometimes, the problem can be addressed immediately such as by jiggling the handle to fix the issue. However, some running toilet causes, such as a clogged pipe, entail the services of a professional plumber.

What are the things that can go in my garbage disposal?

Contrary to popular belief that anything can go in your garbage disposal, there are actually certain food wastes that should not go into it. For instance, leftover mashed potatoes can go into it but make sure that potato peels don’t end up at your garbage disposal. In the same manner, leftover eggs can also be thrown at the disposal, but make sure that the eggshells don’t. Potato peels can cause a jam at your disposal while eggshells can wear out their blades.

The Bottomline

There are plumbing problems that you may be able to resolve effortlessly, while there are also some that may entail the expertise of a seasoned plumber. The key is in familiarising yourself with some of the most common plumbing issues, as well as how to address them. In this way, you will be in a better position to make a more informed decision when it comes to its repairs.