The consequences of having a frozen pipe burst can be significant. You’ll not only deal with the repair but also extensive clean-up after the water floods areas below and seeps into the walls, particularly if it leaves behind mould and mildew. Clean-up and repair combined can be expensive - well over $5,000 - which is why it’s a smart idea to prevent the situation in the first place. Preventing pipes from freezing is an easy but important task for anyone who lives in an area that is prone to freezing temperatures (Canadian homeowners, that’s us!).
New homeowners are often unaware of the need to adequately winterize their house. There are a variety of things you can do both before winter arrives and throughout the season to keep your pipes from freezing and bursting. Read on to learn why and how pipes can burst in the winter, and the proactive measures you can take to prevent it.
How Can a Pipe Burst in the Winter?
Pipes holding standing water such as a rarely used tap can easily burst during the winter months. As the water inside the pipe freezes, it expands, causing the pipe to rupture. Sometimes the pipe does not burst where the ice is located, but between the ice and the faucet, caused by the built-up pressure. Since the pipe is still connected to a water line, water pressure will cause the water to continue flowing through the break, uncontrollably. This leaves you with not only a broken pipe to fix but a big mess that might include flood damage and water damage to floors, walls, and ceilings below.
These three simple precautions can help to prevent your home’s pipes from freezing this winter.
1. Shut Off the Water Valve
During the fall months, there are a few things you can do to help prevent frozen pipes. The pipes most at risk are those that run along the exterior walls of your home. This may mean the pipe that runs to an outdoor faucet, or perhaps a guest bathroom that is located on the opposite side of the garage wall. Since garages are rarely heated, that pipe is more vulnerable to the cold than other interior pipes. Before the temperature outside dips down to very cold levels, turn off the water flow to the outside tap. Locate the correct pipe and follow it inside - often to the basement - and switch the valve to the off position. Once this has been turned off, return to the outdoor faucet and run it for a bit to let the water inside drain out. This will prevent the water in the pipe from freezing and expanding, causing the pipe to burst.
2. Improve Insulation
For interior water lines that run along exterior walls such as the guest bathroom scenario mentioned above, you can try to insulate those pipes if they are accessible. You may even ask a plumber to install specifically designed pipe insulation, a low-cost job that can pay enormous dividends. Alternatively, you might think about adding additional insulation to the wall itself to avoid your garage from getting too cold. An interior garage wall should be relatively easy to insulate. If this is not an option this winter, try to keep the garage door closed as much as possible, consider using a space heater on occasion, and add an insulating barrier to the wall such as hanging a wool blanket during the winter months.
3. Seal Things Up
To further prevent your pipes from being exposed to cold temperatures, perform a little sealing before winter arrives. Any opening that allows cold air inside should be sealed up, or have weatherstripping applied. Pay special attention to garage doors & windows, crawl spaces, basements, or any other place that might let cold air inside.
Other Smart Tips to Prevent Frozen Pipes
Many Canadians like to travel during the winter months, leaving their homes unattended. Should a pipe burst, water could flow uncontrollably for days or weeks, leading to a huge mess.
If you plan to go away during the winter, even for a single night, there are a few things that you can do to prevent your pipes from freezing. While lowering the heat in your house when not at home is a smart, energy-efficient move, be sure you don’t lower it too much. You need to keep your pipes warm enough to prevent freezing. If you are going away for a week or two, consider letting the taps drip a bit to keep the water moving and prevent freezing. This can also help to melt any ice that may have already begun to form inside the pipe. Finally, if you’re going away for more than a few days, have a neighbour check in on your home to make sure that nothing is amiss. Catching a ruptured pipe early can reduce the amount of damage caused to your home.
Whether you need an emergency pipe repair or would like some advice from a local plumbing expert regarding proactive measures you can take to prevent a burst pipe in your home, reach out to The Super Plumber today.
