Cold can be a tremendously abrasive enemy, and usually when water
Freezes, it expands. Unfortunately, water pipes (usually made of plastic
or metal) do not have the same property, so when frozen, they run the risk of breaking.
The good news is that you can keep them from freezing by keeping them warm. Yes during winter if you plan to be absent for a long time, it is necessary that you drain the water pipes.
Here are some tips:
1. Wrap the pipes with heating tapes or paper
a) Purchase heating tape with a built-in thermostat to prevent it from overheating. You can wrap it around the pipes or run them along the pipes.
It is recommended that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
b) A second, even cheaper option is to wrap the pipes with newspaper or
cardboard, and over them put insulating tape or industrial tape, this will create a thermal effect which will slow down the freezing process in your pipes.
2. Insulate all water pipes to prevent cold air from entering
Wrap the pipes in foam rubber insulation, which is specially
designed for them and make sure you don’t leave any open spaces. Miter cut the strips of insulation that cross at the corners of the pipes and secure with multipurpose tape. While laying the insulation on the pipes, keep the foam rubber dry.
Remember that insulation alone does not prevent freezing, it only
slows down the rate of heat transfer to cold.
3. Insulate and heat drain pipes
Apply foam insulation the same way you insulated the pipes. Pay special attention to bathroom and kitchen sinks. Don’t skip the pipes located in tight spaces. During particularly cold days, aim a heat lamp at the drain pipe to keep it at an average temperature.
4. Let the water run for moments
his method will be cheaper than repairing a burst pipe. First of all, open
the hot water faucet to a slow drip and then open the cold water faucet to a faster drip. You don’t need to run a large amount of water. In the case of bathrooms, these can be cold, but avoid that the temperature there is freezing.
5. Do not take the cold fall on deaf ears
Do not miss any of the signs that the cold gives you to start protecting your home, remember that you and your family count on the warmth of home to carry out your work daily, health is the most important thing for everyone.
Article seen on wikihow.
