Preventing Frozen Pipes
There are a number of ways you can work on preventing frozen pipes. It’s a good idea to keep your property warm even if you are out of the house. This can be offputting as a billpayer, but a frozen/burst pipe can end up being more costly in the long run.
Make sure you work on fixing any holes or cracks near pipes, as they can let warm air out and cold air in, causing water in the pipes to freeze. Electrical heating tape may be an option to keep them from freezing, and this tape can be applied directly to the pipe. If you’re unsure of how to do it, there are many tutorials online that could help you. Do not guess, as this tape can be dangerous.
There are two types of heating tape you can choose. One turns on and off by itself when it senses that the pipes need heat, while the other type of tape needs to be plugged in and unplugged when it isn’t in use. Safety procedures must be followed exactly, as they can be dangerous if they aren’t installed properly.
Extra insulation or lagging could also be the cure for any pipe in the home that needs to stay warm. Foam rubber or fibreglass sleeves can be used to combat freezing. Make sure you wear protective gear if you plan on adding these things to your pipes yourself. It may be less hassle to hire a professional plumber to do it for you when you take into account all of the equipment you will need to purchase (if you don’t already have it).
If you have a particularly large area to protect, you can keep the heat in with a barrier built out of foam board. Both faced and unfaced foam board can work. The board is simple to cut, all you need to do is use a carpenter’s pencil or a Sharpie to mark the surface, and then score with a utility knife. You may need to do both sides, before snapping on the line.
If you’re picturing a worst case scenario, turning off the main water valve while you’re out of the house or sleeping can be an option. This way, if a pipe freezes, only the water in the pipe will spill.