Power Plumbing

Happy Halloween from all of us here at Power Plumbing! 🎃🚽

Prevent Frozen Pipes this Winter!

Ideally, it’s best if your pipes never freeze at all. In Ontario, that may seem like a bit too much to ask for, but with a little know-how and patience, you can prevent the inconvenience of freezing pipes. Start by identifying pipes that are at risk of freezing. You’re looking for pipes that run through colder areas of your house, like the basement, garage, crawl space, or attic. Pipes in these areas will require insulating.

1. Insulate Your Pipes
Consider buying products that are specially made to insulate pipes, such as pipe sleeves.

2. Apply Heating To Open Pipes
A simple option is to wrap heating tape around the exposed pipes and plug it in (remember to unplug it in the summer months!). Do not use heat tape if there is insulation, or on pipes in walls, ceilings, or floors.

A temporary solution for when you’re dipping dangerously into freezing temperatures; a space heater can be a great alternative (be careful, do not leave it unattended for long periods of time. If your frozen pipe bursts, it can be a fire hazard).

3. Seal Cracks & Crawl Spaces
This will prevent hot air from escaping! We also suggest insulating your attic, it helps regulate your temperature and will make your pipes less susceptible to condensation that can cause dripping and mould damage.

4. Constantly Heat Your Home
Remember that pipes will begin to freeze when the temperature drops below 13℃. Your thermostat will only measure the temperature where the sensors are. So areas like cold basements may be several degrees colder than the temperature of the rest of the house. This is usually where we find frozen pipes.

5. Close Your Garage Door
Pipes frequently run through the garage, which isn’t great when your garage is probably not well insulated and has a concrete floor. This will also help with your energy bills!

6. Allow Your Faucet To Drip
When it is especially cold out, allow just a slight trickle of water to run out of one or two faucets. This keeps the water moving through your plumbing system and running water is less likely to freeze.

7. Keep Interior Doors Open
The cabinets or closets that have pipes tend to be colder than the main room temperatures. Keeping those open will make sure the heat from your furnace makes its way there too!

All of us here at Power Plumbing would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year! Stay safe!