How to Protect Your System from Frozen Water Pipes

Since it’s the midst of summer, frozen pipes may be the furthest thing from your mind. But this is where it is worth remembering that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and the right knowledge and information goes a long way indeed.

So even if you do not really have to worry about having frozen pipes for the next several months, it still pays to be aware of how to prevent it from happening. This will save you a lot of headaches and hassles in the long run and will allow you to save money and unnecessary expense as well.

The importance of preventing frozen pipes

We all know that the cold season can result in frozen water. And when water becomes frozen and becomes ice, it expands and increases the pressure within the joints and pipes in your hot water system, which may result in pipes splitting or joints pulling apart.

This is why it is important to check all your water system’s pipes (both on the inside and the outside) and make sure that they are properly insulated from cold temperature. The good news is that any professional, experienced, and reliable plumber will easily be able to help you get your pipes insulated, such as the plumbers in London from BBS Plumbing Heating Service.

What you should know about insulating and protecting your water system’s pipes

As mentioned, you should make sure that all the pipes in your water system are adequately insulated. This includes all the pipe work in areas such as roofs, outbuildings, lofts, and garages. Additionally, the water tank should be properly fitted and covered with an insulation jacket, or, if you do not have this, the tank’s sides and top should be wrapped in an adequate material for insulation instead. Keep in mind, though, that insulation should not be placed underneath the water tank. Furthermore, you should make sure that any cisterns, tanks, or pipes in external areas are insulated as well. An alternative for this is to simply drain them if you are not using them during the winter.

Additional tips for preventing frozen water pipes

For enhanced prevention of frozen water pipes, you can also leave your home’s central heating on (although at a lower setting) if you are planning to go away for some time. And if you are residing in a flat, you should also turn the heat on low if you are going away, especially in areas or rooms in which the mains pipeline supplies heat to adjacent or nearby flats.

However, if you are planning to be out of your property or flat for a more considerable time, you should turn off the supply of water and then drain your system. If you are unsure of how to do this properly or correctly, you can always turn to a professional plumber or plumbing service. Also, it would be a good idea to leave your keys with neighbours you can trust or someone you know living nearby whom your neighbours can contact in case of any emergency. Before going away, you should also check your system for any leaks or drips, as water that is constantly dripping can lead to frozen pipes as well.

To ensure your system’s efficiency, it is always best to have it checked annually by a professional. Having a well-maintained system will help prevent any other issues and allow you to address problems before they become worse.

Image attributed to artur84/FreeDigitalPhotos.net