Plumbing Tips for Emergencies in Cold Winters

The plumbing system is an integral part of every building and without it, no one can live, even for a single day.

Unfortunately, the plumbing systems might cause many problems, which need special care. Sometimes these problems turn into emergency issues, making residents call professional plumbers and bear a significant cost.

One of the situations in which you might need plumbing emergency services is in cold weather. As many families complain of these issues, we’ve gathered some tips to help you prevent such issues or get rid of one when happened.

Before the winter, fix any minor leaks

Leaks are the most common plumbing problem. This issue will become considerably more problematic over the winter. Before the temps decrease, try to resolve these issues. Keep in mind that repairing plumbing issues in the winter is much more challenging.

Hoses should not be left connected

In the cold, try to avoid leaving hoses hooked to your faucets. The water inside them will freeze in cold weather, and ice can put a strain on your pipes, causing them to crack. Drain all hoses from your faucets and store them somewhere until you need them again.

Regularly open the water

Frozen pipes are one of the most typical winter difficulties. This problem usually affects pipes that aren’t utilized very often. To run water from the faucets that are rarely used, try to open them.

You can safeguard your plumbing system and prevent your pipes from freezing by using this strategy. For more serious issues, you have to call professional plumbers who provide emergency plumbing services to take care of the problem.

Insulate the pipes outside

Frequently, simply opening the valves is insufficient to protect your pipes. To protect your pipes from freezing, apply insulating tape. Insulation can also help you save money on heating during harsh winters.

Insulate your unheated areas

Cold weather can also enter your plumbing system through the windows and doors of your open spaces. Despite the negative influence that these areas can have, most people do not take care of them.

The cold weather in Toronto can enter through basement windows and garage doors, causing your pipes to freeze. You may also need to consider sealing the apertures of such places in addition to pipe insulation.

Think of a heating cable

If you are thinking of a more technical solution, it is best to use a heating cable. Heating cables are also known as heating tapes for trace heaters or pipes.

These cables have a wide range of applications such as trace heating, antifreeze, viscosity control, roof and gutters, temperature process maintenance, etc.

In fact, it has a built-in thermostat that can measure the temperature of the pipe and turn the heat source on and off. This greatly reduces the risk of freezing.

Please drain the water when you leave the town

If you are planning a trip out of town, make sure the main valve is closed. Therefore, if the pipe is frozen, the damage will be cheaper.

Keep the closet open

It may seem easy, but it may seem strange to open the cabinet under the kitchen sink. If you leave the cabinets open, the warm indoor air in the house will flow into these rooms and touch the pipes.

This can help you by preventing the pipe from freezing in the cold season.

Final thoughts

Plumbing emergencies are among the most important concerns of homeowners. Frozen pipes and other issues in cold winters are really common in northern countries like the USA and Canada. If you live in one of the cold areas with extreme winters, try to have your plumbing system checked by a professional plumber.