Pipe insulation is particularly important for those that live in areas that have cold winters. Frozen pipes can lead to damage that is costly to repair and can put a damper on your home life for several days. Find out what you have to know so you can maintain the seamless functioning of your plumbing throughout the winter months.
The Dos
You notice that the weather forecast calls for freezing weather and you want to do something about your pipes. Alternatively, maybe your pipes are freezing up and you jump into action to prevent a mini-disaster in your home. Let’s look at the things you should do when insulating your pipes.
Do Your Due Diligence
Plan so that you know what you need to do. Several things can go wrong if you don’t insulate your pipes correctly. Taking the time to learn about potential issues will guide you through the task.
Start by inspecting your home to locate all the areas that need insulation. Map out the network of pipes and make sure you don’t miss a vulnerable area. The last thing you want to do is spend a lot of time just to find that a pipe burst due to being left without proper insulation.
Your due diligence also extends to the material you will buy to insulate the pipes. Besides a price comparison, check for things like fire resistance, potential safety issues and thermal insulation values.
Do Keep the Pipes Warm
Until you can better insulate your pipes, you need to make sure damage doesn’t occur due to freezing. Taking a proactive approach can save you the hassle and unplanned cost of replacing pipes.
To keep your pipes from freezing, keep your thermostat on ‘warm’ or above 50 degrees. If you notice that temperatures are heading below zero, you should raise the temperature on your thermostat further.
If you’re planning to be away from home for a few days in the winter, check the forecast or plan accordingly. Those that have remote access to thermostat settings can adjust through wifi.
Do Hire a Knowledgeable Professional
Some people are more adept at conducting do-it-yourself work than others. However, it is an equally wise move to take professional help for pipe insulation. Even those with the skills to do the job themselves can benefit from having a specialist insulate their home’s pipes.
The Do Nots
The things you should avoid are just as important as the things you should do when insulating your pipes.
Do Not Try to Heat the Pipes Externally
Using heating tape to warm up your pipes may seem like a good idea but can cause a fire. Taking a drastic measure like heating your pipes with a blow torch can cause them to burst. The sudden expansion of the ice can create enough pressure to cause damage.
Instead, as mentioned above, keeping the water constantly warm will prevent you from resorting to desperate measures.
Don’t Wing It
The tools and equipment necessary for the work, as well as the insulation material, need special handling. Insulating your pipes without first understanding how to safely do the work is asking for trouble.
Be Proactive
Taking action before the cold of winter sets in is a wise choice. The experts at 58 Foundations can help you decide on the best course of action for your home’s pipe insulation.