Frozen Pipes and Simple Tips to Prevent Them
Oct 5, 2024
Winter can be tough on our homes, especially when it comes to plumbing. Freezing or frozen pipes are a common headache for many homeowners in Barrie and the surrounding areas, but with a few simple steps, you can protect your home from water damage caused by burst pipes. Here’s what the Red Carpet Handyman team suggests to get your home winter ready:
Maintain a Warm Temperature: Keeping your home, including any outbuildings or guest houses, at a cozy temperature, like 12.8 degrees Celsius at a minimum, is a good benchmark. This little bit of warmth goes a long way in preventing frozen pipes.
Insulate Your Exterior Walls: Pipes in walls that face the outside can get extremely cold. If these walls feel cool to the touch or show signs of moisture, it might be time to add some extra insulation. This helps keep the cold out and the warmth around your pipes. We do that…we can help insulate your exterior walls.
Insulate Exposed Pipes: In places like attics, garages, and crawl spaces, where there’s no heating, your pipes are at risk. We can easily snap on some foam insulation or use heated tape that activates in cold temperatures to keep these pipes warm.
Use Smart Home Solutions: Modern technology offers great tools to protect your home:
- Install sensors that alert you if your home gets too cold.
- Remote-control thermostats can be a game-changer, especially if you travel.
- Consider a back-up generator to keep your heating system running during power outages.
- Water leak detection systems can prevent major water damage by automatically shutting off your water if a leak is detected.
Care for Outdoor Spigots and Hoses: Before winter hits, disconnect and drain your garden hoses. If you have outdoor spigots, turn off their water supply at the source and insulate them. This prevents water from freezing and expanding inside your home’s pipes, which can cause them to burst.
Frozen pipes are not fun. Remember, a little bit of preparation can save you from a lot of headaches later. Stay warm and keep your home safe this winter. For winter preparation services, or any type of renovation and repair services around the house, give Mike and the Red Carpet Handyman team a call at 705.796.6619