It happens every winter in Hamilton when the weather dips below zero — pipes freeze. If freezing occurs, it forces water in your Pipes to expand, and the pressure can cause the pipes to burst, flooding your home and making a flood disaster for you. But you can do something proactively to avoid this nightmare before it gets cold. Here is how you can keep your home safe and prevent an emergency call to a plumber in Hamilton.
Pipe Insulation for At-Risk Piping
The best way to avoid frozen pipes is to insulate pipes in areas where they are not heated, such as basements, crawl spaces, garages and attics. Pipe insulation sleeves, heat tape, or foam insulation wraps are inexpensive and easy to find. Concentrate on pipes that run through exterior walls or are close to drafty windows and doors. If you’re not sure which areas are most susceptible, you can even hire a plumber in Hamilton to assess your home and suggest the best insulation options based on their findings.
Keep the Heat On, Even When You’re Away
A lot of homeowners will turn down the thermostat when they go out of town for a couple of days, but that can cause freezing pipes. Even if there’s no one at home, always have an inside temperature of at least 13°C (55°F). If you are planning to leave your home empty for an extended period, this might be a good time to ask someone to check in on it regularly to make sure the system is working.
Caulk Leaks and Shut Off Foundation Vents
By intercepting cold air that seeps through leaks and holes, they can help prevent the surrounding temperature from dropping too much and fast. Check your home for drafts around pipes and use caulking (or weatherstripping for larger gaps) to seal them. Foundation vents should be sealed or closed in the winter to keep cold air out from underneath your home. This extra insulation can be the difference between keeping the area around your plumbing warmer in between rooms in your home.
Keep Faucets Dripping in Deep Freezes
When it falls well below freezing, let the faucets hooked to vulnerable pipes drip just a little. This helps water to move through the system and keep pressure from building up, which causes pipes to burst in the first place. A slow drip may cost you a little extra on your water bill, but that’s a drop in the bucket compared to the havoc a burst pipe will wreak.
Get a Hamilton Plumber Out for Regular Maintenance
DIY insulation or jacking up the thermostat aren’t the only ways to prevent pipes from freezing — sometimes, a professional touch is required. If you’re living in Hamilton, then a licensed plumber can assess your plumbing system for potential hazards, recommend upgrades and even install frost-proof fixtures. They can also insulate outdoor taps and irrigation lines to lower the risk of freezing.
Also, do not use open flames, including blow torches, to thaw pipes – doing so is incredibly dangerous. Instead, contact a pro, who can safely address the issue with proper tools and methods.
Final Thoughts
It may not be the warmest, but Hamilton sure is home and it will serve us well to get our homes ready for the winter! From insulation to leak checks to emergency services, nothing beats the peace of mind you get from having a reliable plumber in Hamilton at your disposal throughout the coldest months.