How to keep pipes from freezing and minimize the damage

Don’t be part of the statistics! Each year more than 250,000 families experience damage associated with frozen pipes during the summer. This happens because water has the ability to expand by 10% when it reaches the freezing point. It never hurts to take the advice of the experts to prevent the freezing of the pipes or in the event that this occurs, minimize the damage with timely actions.

To prevent pipes from freezing: Seal the cracks

Before winter carry out a thorough inspection of the entire house. You will more easily find all the holes or cracks through which the water can filter and reach your pipes. Experts say that the main places to seal cracks are around windows and door frames, as well as, looking for any holes in the foundation of the house.

Install pipe insulation

How to keep pipes from freezing and how to minimize the damage if they do — Shutterstock

One of the best ways to protect the pipes is to cover them with specialized insulation material, which has been specially designed to protect these types of installations from the freezing winter temperatures. Among its advantages is its relatively affordable price. It is an investment that will pay off since it will prevent pipes from freezing, causing them to break or leaks that could cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. The recommended places to put the insulation material are pipes found in attics, basements and garages.

Apply electrical heating to the pipes

There is a thermal heating tape that can be applied directly to pipes to ensure that they retain their heat, especially on the exterior of houses, as well as in attics or basements, two of the places where heat does not usually reach. You can get a manual or sensor tape. The latter is programmed to act automatically in the event that it detects an abnormal drop in temperature that could affect the state of the pipes.

Keep a constant temperature

During the winter it is essential to maintain a constant temperature inside the house, especially if it is not being occupied. This will help keep the heat in every corner of the home and thus prevent the pipes from freezing. It is not about setting a temperature that is too high, in fact to guarantee the good condition of the pipes, it is enough to program the thermostat so that it generates at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit (or 12 degrees Celsius).

To minimize damage:

Let the tap water run

During the winter if you did not have the opportunity to make the preparations to protect the pipes, it is possible that small frozen sections, will form. Plumbing experts recommend leaving the faucet open to help the water run and clear the section that has frozen quickly.

Apply heat to the section that has been frozen

At the same time that you leave the water faucet open, try to detect exactly which section is frozen and apply heat to it as soon as possible until water flow is restored. The recommendation is to apply heat by means of an electrical heating tape manually, since the automatic programming will only help prevent the pipes from freezing.

Contact an experienced plumber

Plumber repairing structure — Shutterstock

Given the dimensions and length of the pipes, it is sometimes difficult to quickly detect where the frozen section is, which will increase the risk of further damage. With specialized equipment and extensive experience, a certified plumber will be able to detect any frozen sections of pipes and resolve the problem in a matter of hours.

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