4 Effective Tips to Prevent Pipes from Freezing

Frozen or burst pipes aren’t just an inconvenience, they can also be a real danger to your home and the people who live there. That’s why it’s important to get them fixed immediately. If you live in an area with cold winters, it’s important to know how to prevent pipes from freezing during the winter months. Follow these four tips from a plumber in Scarborough on how to prevent frozen pipes.

Keep the Water Running:

If your home relies on an outdoor source of water (like a well), then you need to keep that water flowing all winter long. That way, if a pipe freezes, it will still be connected to some kind of water source and won’t cause any damage. Just make sure you don’t turn up your thermostat. This should help prevent freezing pipes.

Use Heat Tape:

Installing heat tape around your outdoor pipes will prevent them from freezing and can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in plumbing costs. However, not all heat tapes are created equal. In fact, some can actually do more harm than good, and may even be hazardous! Talk with a licensed plumber in Scarborough about which products best suit your needs before purchasing one.

There are two types of heat tapes: one would turn itself on when it detects that heating is required. The other must be plugged/unplugged based on your requirements. Heat tape must be used with caution and be sure to follow the instructions of a plumber before you start using them.

Seal Cracks and Holes:

The easiest and cheapest way to protect your plumbing in Scarborough from freezing is to seal cracks and holes in the walls where the pipes run through. This involves checking your exterior wall thoroughly and patching any imperfections you might find, such as worn brickwork for instance. Check all of your faucets for leaks too. Leave them running for an hour or so when temperatures drop below freezing, and turn them off before you go to sleep. This should stop most minor leaks that can lead to frozen pipes.

Ensure Proper Insulation of Pipes:

The heat generated by your hot water pipes will help keep them from freezing, so it’s important that you insulate those pipes properly. Insulating your hot water pipes could help maintain their nominal temperature, even if there are big fluctuations in temperatures outside.

You can insulate your pipes with foam pipe insulation or add extra wraps of heat tape around them. If you live in a basement apartment, be sure to insulate all pipes leading out of your unit. Keep in mind that if you already have frozen pipes, no amount of insulation will thaw them out for you. Contact a plumber immediately if you suspect a frozen pipe.

These simple tips can be very helpful in preventing the overwhelming problem of freezing pipes. If you need assistance, don’t hesitate to talk to a qualified 24 hour plumber in Scarborough who can fix this in no time.

Most Common Plumbing Problems and How to Solve Them

Plumbing problems are probably the most frustrating home repairs you can encounter, especially if you don’t have the right tools or know-how to fix them. However, these problems can usually be avoided through good maintenance and preventative care. Here are the most common plumbing problems, and what to do if you do end up facing them.

Leaky Faucets

According to a professional plumber Pickering, leaky faucets are some of the most common problems plaguing homeowners. They’re also some of the easiest plumbing problems for plumbers to solve. The first step is determining where exactly your leak is coming from. Your easiest option is calling a local 24 hour plumber Pickering. A plumber can diagnose the problems and help fix the leaking faucets.  

Low Water Pressure

Low water pressure is usually caused by sediment buildup in your home’s pipes. This can easily be remedied by using a cleaner designed specifically for water systems or attaching a filter to your shower head or faucet. You can also try and fix it yourself, but if that doesn’t work, consult a professional plumber who will clean out your system for you.

Slow Draining Toilets

If your toilet is taking a while to drain, there are some things you can do on your own without calling in a plumber. Sometimes small objects like hair bands or paper towels can get stuck in your pipes and create a blockage, so try removing them. You should also look for loose parts of your toilet that could be causing an obstruction, such as rings or bolts that aren’t screwed into place tightly enough.

Running Toilets

One of the top plumbing Pickering problems is running toilets. This can be caused by a variety of reasons, such as a worn toilet flapper valve or faulty fill-valve ball cock assembly. Both of these valves must seal tightly against their seats for proper performance and operation. Replacing them will stop your leak and save you money on your water bill.

Frozen Pipes

If a pipe freezes inside your walls, it can be difficult to locate and replace. Before you know it, you’ll be dealing with damage caused by burst pipes. To prevent frozen pipes in your home, insulate all exposed pipes on outside walls. Additionally, if one of your pipes does freeze, run a tap full-blast at that location for about an hour or until it starts flowing again.