One of the most frequent reasons people need plumbers in Brooklyn during the winter months is to fix frozen or burst pipes. We all know that as water freezes, it expands. However, when water in your pipes freeze, the pipes remain the same size and may burst under the additional pressure. Fortunately, frozen pipes and the issues they cause can be prevented if you follow these simple tips.
Insulate and Protect
The first step in preventing frozen and burst pipes is to insulate all exposed pipe or those against exterior walls with insulation, pipe sleeves or heat tape. These items can be purchased at a hardware store rather inexpensively and are easy to place. If you wait until just before a cold snap, you may find your local hardware store out of stock. In a pinch, you can also wrap your pipes with blankets, throw rugs or even pieces of old carpeting.
Allow warm air to better reach your pipes by opening cabinet doors underneath your sink or bathroom vanity. Move stored items out of the way as to allow heat to reach the pipes. Also, be sure to keep your heat turned on and set to a minimum of 55 degrees Fahrenheit, even if you plan to be gone for an extended period. The additional money one might save on home heating will not be enough to cover the damage that can happen if your pipes do freeze and burst. Don’t be penny wise and pound foolish.
Let Faucets Trickle
Since you never know when a winter storm might cause the power to go out, plumbers in Brooklyn know it is a good idea to let your faucets trickle slightly. This can help both when you are at home asleep, and whenever you plan to be away overnight or longer. Allowing even a slow drip will help prevent pipes from freezing by permitting water to flow continually through it.
By using these common-sense measures, you can reduce the odds of your pipes freezing during the winter. Should your pipes freeze, turn your water off at the main and contact Aladdin Plumbing for assistance to quickly fix the issue and avoid more extensive damage.