How to Winterize Pipes
Homeowners should prepare for the upcoming cold winter months by taking steps to prevent burst pipes. Plumbers receive more calls about burst pipes in the winter than at any other time of year. In this blog post, professional plumbers share insight on how homeowners can prevent burst pipes this year.
Water can flood the house and cause severe damage when a pipe bursts. Sometimes the line that bursts is located underground or in the basement. Hidden pipe bursts can go unnoticed for a long time until extensive property damage has already occurred. Mold and water damage are big problems for homeowners.
Prevent Pipes Freezing
Pipe insulation can help to protect pipes from freezing during the cold winter months. Pipes are more likely to burst during the winter than at any other time of the year because frozen pipes are a common cause of burst pipes. Homeowners can use preventative methods to winterize their pipes to withstand freezing temperatures. Pipe insulation can be added to the outside of pipes to help them retain heat and prevent freezing.
When water freezes, it expands, causing the pipes to expand and burst. Adding insulation to the outside of the lines can keep them from getting cold enough to freeze and helps keep utility bills low. Fiberglass or foam pipe insulation can be added onto exposed pipes as one insulation method. Other ways homeowners can help keep their pipes warm is by adding more wall insulation to the spaces around pipes and keeping doors open to circulate the home’s heat to basements, cabinets, or attics with pipes.
Prevent Decay and Corrosion
Metal is a durable material, but over time it can begin to decay and corrode, which also leads to pipe bursts. The best way to prevent corrosion in the plumbing system is to be mindful of what gets put down the drains. Harsh chemicals like those in liquid drain cleaners and other household cleaning products contain strong chemicals that could corrode the metal of the pipes.
Homeowners should also never use liquid drain cleaners because the harsh chemicals they contain are toxic to human health. Instead, homeowners can use a combination of baking soda and vinegar to clean the drains naturally between professional drain cleanings. Pouring hot water down the drain can also help to loosen a clog.
Prevent Clogs with Professional Drain Cleaning
The entire plumbing system is connected through a network of pipes, and a single clogged pipe can wreak havoc on the plumbing system’s overall performance. Clogs can cause a pressure imbalance in the system that leads to a burst pipe. Homeowners can do their part to prevent burst pipes by preventing clogs.
Professional drain cleaning services and routine plumbing maintenance can go a long way toward preventing clogged drains. During drain cleaning, the plumber can use specialized plumbing tools to effectively clear the lines of any debris that could lead to clogs. Hydrojetting can even be used to remove tough clogs from infiltrating tree roots. Maintenance also helps homeowners catch plumbing issues early before they become a plumbing disaster!
About Henco Plumbing Services
The award-winning Henco Plumbing Services is a family-owned and operated company serving Vancouver, WA, and the surrounding areas. They provide flat-rate pricing, same-day service, and financing. Call them today for plumbing services or burst pipe repair in Vancouver, WA.
