Winter is the most dangerous season for pipes outside the house and sometimes even for indoor pipes. Those who have been in the situation to deal with a frozen pipe know that preventing it from busting is almost impossible if you do not take appropriate measure. A busted pipe can affect more than the installation itself, and the repairs are expensive.
Pipes that are most vulnerable to low temperatures are located outdoors or in noninsulated exterior walls. Water supply pipes from the irrigation systems are also exposed to damage, in the cold season. To prevent them from freezing even at the lowest temperatures, read on the following tips.
As long as the winter temperatures have not reached a constant value, your home is vulnerable to a widespread phenomenon: freezing pipes and busted pipes. This may happen not only to outdoor pipes, but also to pipes in poorly insulated buildings. A broken pipe is a nightmare which may result in flooded areas of your home, requiring the expert (and potentially costly) services of Denver water damage specialists. So it is imperative that you take safety precautions before the arrival of winter.
Insulate the pipes
The easiest method to prevent frozen and busted pipes is to cover them in appropriate materials. In general, specialists recommend fiberglass as an insulating layer that will create an efficient barrier between the outdoor environment/ the walls and the pipes. Pipes must be covered in insulating materials before temperatures reach frost levels. Insulating the pipes comes with other benefits too: you avoid the condensation that form on cold water pipes, as well as heat losses through hot water pipes, so you save energy and implicitly money. Insulation offers a barrier against moisture, and we all know that moisture has corrosive potential that will lead to different levels of damage, over time.
Install a de-icing system
For those who own a house, the prevention of freezing pipes can be made easier by installing a de-icing system, which can cover larger surfaces, such as a parking area, a yard, or a terrace, with everything on it, including pipes, windows and roof. Such a system ensures optimum temperature and prevents freezing. Equipped with sensors and thermostats, the functioning of a de-icing system is under your permanent control and only turns on when necessary. Although such a system may seem like a big investment, you make it in the long term and it will become financially profitable. It is also an investment in your comfort and safety during the cold season.
Set the optimum temperature in the house
Indoor pipes can freeze and bust if the building has no heating source for a longer period. You must ensure a minimum temperature in the building to prevent busted pipes and additional damage. The costs of repairing or replacing a broken pipe are significantly higher than ensuring a certain temperature in the building, during the winter, to make sure everything stays safe. If you have a floor heating system, you should not worry too much. This system eliminates the need for additional heating sources you’re your pipes will be ok.