Oakville Weather & Pipe Freezing Realities
Albeit other areas of Ontario traditionally experience more extreme winter temperatures, it would appear Mother Nature has plans for you as well this year Oakville. We have noted your weather predictions; it states you are in for more snow and cold than normal. Water will expand as it freezes; if given the chance it can expand as much as 10%, and that can cause one your pipes to burst. This is a most unpleasant experience while in the middle of a deep freeze, and if multiple pipes burst it can be quite costly. John the Plumber Oakville is committed to helping keep your pipes protected, and offers the following tips to help insulate your pipes and keep your water from freezing.
Insulating Pipes and Heating Cables
It’s a smart idea to keep areas of your home warm where your pipes are located such as your garage, basement and near outdoor taps; best way to do this is install extra insulation in these cooler areas. Something else you may want to consider doing is installing electric heating cables. Place the cables near your crawlspace pipes to keep them from freezing. Something else you can do is install insulation on each pipe; wrapping individual pipes will provide an extra layer of protection.
Keeping Your Pipes Warm & Turning Unused Valves Off
Places like underneath your kitchen and bathroom counters are not warm areas, and this is where your pipes are generally hidden away. You need to let the heat from your home circulate in there; best thing you can do is leave those cupboard doors open during the winter. Don’t forget about the faucets in your home that you don’t use much in the winter that contains plumbing so heat gets into all of those spots. A good practice is to turn off the main water supply if you go away on vacation, this will prevent any damage from occurring while you are away. Finally, make sure you have disconnected the outside hoses from the outside faucets to avoid damage BEFORE the cold arrives.
