4 Tips to Help Reduce the Risk of Burst Pipes

When you live in an area where there are long, frigid winters and short, hot summers, you have to worry about burst pipes on a regular basis. Burst pipes can cause thousands of dollars’ worth of damage in no time at all, so it’s important to know how to minimize the risk of this happening with your plumbing Markham. Here are four ways to help reduce the risk of burst pipes in your home.

Keep One or Two Faucets Running:

Keeping one or two faucets running when temperatures drop below freezing can help prevent pipes from bursting. Running water at a steady pace helps keep water flowing and prevents it from freezing inside your pipes. A possible disadvantage is that you could end up wasting more water, especially if you have any leaks in the plumbing Markham. You might want to cut down on other household water usage during this time to save money.

Try to Bring in Warm Air to the Colder Areas of Your Home:

It's important to try and bring in warm air into colder areas of your home, as it will help keep the pipes from freezing. This can be done by opening windows and doors that lead outside, or by using a space heater. If you do use a space heater, make sure it is not too close to any objects that are made from fabrics or materials that can catch fire. The next best solution is a fireplace. Once you light the wood on fire, all of those heat waves will naturally spread out throughout the room and surrounding area.

Add Insulation to the Outer Walls Containing Pipes:

Another way you can help reduce the risk of burst pipes is by adding insulation to the outer walls that contain pipes. The insulation also helps protect your pipes from freezing in cold weather. This will also insulate your home, which in turn keeps it warmer and more energy efficient. Even if you do have a pipe burst, it will help contain the water so it doesn't flood other areas of your home. If you're considering adding insulation to your walls, talk with an emergency plumber Markham before proceeding with any work.

Disconnect the Hose From the Outdoor Faucet:

One of the most common causes for a burst pipe is the water pressure being too high, which can happen when someone leaves a hose connected to an outdoor faucet. To help reduce this risk, disconnect your hose from your outdoor faucet before shutting off the water. Consider installing an indoor shut-off valve near your outside spigot.

Water damage from burst pipes can cause expensive and frustrating problems in the home. While there isn’t much you can do about the temperature fluctuations of winter and summer, the tips mentioned above can help protect your pipes and reduce the risk of bursting pipes. Talk to a plumber if you have any questions on burst pipes, drain repair Markham or anything else.