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Christmas is well and truly over however, the big freeze is just around the corner and if you’re thinking that your pipes could do with a helping hand then right here is where you get the low down.
Read on for some top professional plumbing tips to get you through to the spring and if you think that preventing pipes from freezing requires industrial equipment then check out the advice below and get ready for warmth.
Preparation is the key
October onwards should signal winter is on the way and if you want to be ready for the chill factor then preparing in advance is the key to a warm winter. Knowing where water turn off taps are located, equipping yourself with temporary pipe burst fixing kits and noting down the contact details of a reputable plumber who specialises in frozen piping are all great ideas if you want to be prepared for the worst case scenario.
Switch your thermostat to winter rates
Old houses, especially, require extra heating during the winter months as from high ceilings to uninsulated wall cavities, heating an older property correctly can often make all the difference when it comes to burst and frozen pipes. Switching your thermostat to come on in the coldest parts of the day and night is essential for keeping inside air temperature at a reasonable level and if you’re worried about your heating bill then just think how much a burst pipe will cost as an alternative.
Make sure you’re insulated
Attics, crawl spaces and cellars are all ripe for insulation and if you can reach bare pipes without too much difficulty then it’s always best to cover them over with insulating fiberglass or foam board (if you’re covering a larger surface area) to give them extra warmth over the winter. All the knives, gloves and masks related to cutting and securing fiberglass and foam boards in the home can be purchased at good DIY stores and once the material is fitted you don’t have to worry about what it looks like, especially if it’s installed away from prying eyes.
Heating cable installation
Keeping a pipe from dropping below zero can be as simple as buying and installing heating cable or heating tape which comes with an electrical plug attachment and is guaranteed to warm all pipes until their safe and cosy. Although most trade stores will stock this particular piece of kit it maybe that you need to check out a specific electrical stockists as opposed to a plumbers.
Storage heaters
Often the most simple methods are the best and if you’re worried about pipes freezing and potentially bursting then place a small heater next to the pipe and make sure it comes on when most needed. Remember this sort of heating isn’t used to heat the room it’s purely for the pipe so make sure you position accordingly and fit an automatic on and off switch if you don’t fancy waking up at 3am when the weather is at its worst.
Final thoughts
If you are at all worried about freezing pipes this winter or throughout the year then the best advice is always to call in an expert plumber just so you can gain that valuable peace of mind that comes from knowing you’ve put your finances and your welfare in the best of hands.
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