How to Maintain Your Plumbing System During Winter
House upkeep can be a pain, especially during the long and frigid winter months. Everything from repairing your roof to shovelling the driveway becomes that much more challenging during the winter.
Underlying plumbing issues can also prove troublesome during the winter. Many plumbing issues begin small but will quickly grow during the winter unless treated in time.
The goal is to winterize your plumbing system to be fully operational before the winter season arrives. Doing so will prevent plumbing-related damages and other issues before they even begin.
For example, an unexpected cold spell can wreak havoc on your pipes if you have not prepared your plumbing system for the winter.
Your pipes may freeze during the winter and even burst, leading to significant water damage that will require a Toronto plumber to fix.
Here, we will focus on maintaining your plumbing system during the winter so that you do not have to call a Toronto plumber.
Winterization Preparation
If no active water is running through your pipes, you should winterize your pipes. Also, if your property is empty for a prolonged period, you should consider winterizing your plumbing.
Water temperature will drop during the winter, causing the water to freeze and expand. The expansion will place undue pressure on your pipes, damaging them.
How to Winterize Your Plumbing
You must set aside some time and choose the ideal time to winterize your plumbing. Before you begin working, a sound plan must be devised for winterizing your plumbing.
For example, we suggest you make a list of all the plumbing components found on your property. You will also need to shut off your main water valve before deactivating your water pump and water heater to be safe.
Next, turn on all of the tap outlets in your home. All the drain valves in your home should also be opened up. Air compressors can blow out any excess water or debris that has made their way into your pipes.
Your drains should also be inspected thoroughly, as they may have drain traps that need to be cleaned out.
Your toilets must also be flushed frequently to remove copious amounts of water from their bowls and tanks. If you cannot remove all of the water, then antifreeze should be added. The antifreeze will help prevent your toilets from cracking due to frozen water.
How to Prevent Freezing Pipes?
Pipes should be insulated with slip-on foam pipe insulation. You can also insulate them with some wrapping or even some insulation sleeves.
A heating source within your property is also a must, as the heat will protect your delicate pipes from the harmful effects of the cold winter air. You should also have your home inspected by a Toronto plumber for wall fractures.
Any wall fractures should be filled promptly before winter arrives. Frosty air can penetrate through the wall fractures in your home, which may cause your pipes to freeze in due time.
The crawl space found on your property also needs to be checked to ensure that it is properly insulated. All of the vents that lead to the exterior of your property will need to be blocked or closed.
Heat tape can also be a lifesaver for many homeowners. You can wrap your pipes with heat tape to ensure they will not freeze during the winter. One of the most common techniques for winterizing plumbing in Canada and the United States is using high-quality heat tape, which can be purchased at any hardware store in your area.
However, the one caveat with heat tape is that it may be a fire hazard if not applied properly. Please follow the instructions on the label carefully to prevent a fire from occurring.
Openings and cracks in ceilings, floors, and walls must be quickly repaired or filled. Gaps should be caulked to prevent cold air from seeping through said gaps. Spray foam can also be used as an alternative to caulking.
Steel and copper water pipes are more susceptible to freezing than plastic pipes, so consider switching to plastic piping. Furthermore, you must take care of your hose bibs before the winter arrives.
Most hose bibs are left unattended. As such, they are susceptible to bursting while you sleep in the middle of the night.
To prevent your hose bibs from bursting, we suggest you drain them and insulate them with a few handy covers you can get at any hardware store.
Winter is Here
Your plumbing needs to be winterized as soon as possible to help protect your home from significant water damage. It is a must if you want your plumbing to be in optimal condition, helping reduce the risk of damage to your property.
You can also make use of the latest technology in the market to help monitor and regulate your home’s temperature. For instance, you can install Wi-Fi thermostats in your home to monitor and control the temperature from anywhere via remote technology.
However, in some cases, the damage may already be done. Burst pipes are usually best left to the professionals. Many Toronto plumbing companies provide 24/7 emergency response services during the winter due to the increased prevalence of plumbing issues.
You should avoid tackling plumbing issues yourself unless you have an extensive amount of experience in dealing with such matters.