Make The Necessary Preparations In advance
Protecting your pipes and tubes from the fierce bite of winter at the last minuet is never a good idea. You run the risk of forgetting something or never finding the time to do everything properly. If you really do not want to write a lofty check during the winter season to any Toronto plumber then make it your personal point of duty to study your house's plumbing system to identify where the main valves and master shut-off are located .
Ensure That Your Pipes Are Insulated
Finding a Toronto plumber in the harsh winter season is both difficult and frustrating. To not run the risk of having to call one when temperatures are freezing on the great outdoors and you are stuck with a leaking tube always ensure that your pipes are insulated with heat tape or a pipe sleeve. For extra precaution it is also possible to guarantee the warmth of the pipes by using what is known as thermostatically- controlled heat cables. These special cables will ensure that the integrity of your pipes are not compromised when winter sets in by warming them up during this time period.
Check For Leaks In Advance
The worse thing about leaks is that no-one finds out they have one until they are forced to call a Toronto plumber due to a high water bill. These hidden leaks can be catastrophic when winter sets in. While it might sound silly to some people, checking to see even the slightest change in your water bill should be top priority before winter. It is also wise to look if your electrical wiring and dryer vents are showing any signs of leakage as well. Even during the winter you should always check to see if by chance there are leaks on any of the pipes.
Open Doors and Keep The Water Running
If your house is insulated then passing this heat to pipes during the winter is a great way to prevent them from freezing. This can be done by opening the doors that lead to these pipes or removing any barriers that can prevent them from getting the warmth from the insulation system in your house. This does not mean that you are going to dig down your house to expose dry wall, concrete, bricks, etc. It simply means that anything that will not compromise the overall structure of your house should be removed to allow the heat to penetrate pipes that are close to the exterior wall of the house. It is also important to allow the water to flow in and out of both hot and cold water pipes from time to time. This reduces the possibility of water becoming frozen at a certain area.
Educate Your Family
It is not enough that you are the only one that knows where the main valves are in the house. When there is a terrible leak that is caused by a burst pipe then this should be dealt with as quickly as possible. Showing your family where the main valves are and removing any obstacles that lead to these valves are steps that should be taken before winter sets in.
Seal Up Exposed Areas
Doorways, Cracks and other openings are known to give access to certain pipes. Always ensure that these areas are sealed off and check with a local hardware store to see what can be used to seal off these openings. If you happen to have to call a Toronto plumber to fix some plumbing problem not related to winter blues then take the opportunity to ask what can be used to seal off openings. The most recommended material is caulk, but the material that is used to build your house will determine which sealing agent is best.
Disclaimer. The information that is contained in this article is solely to be used as a guide and was not written with the intention of replacing professional guidance. All the information that is contained within is deemed accurate to the best of our knowledge and this website along with its owners will not be held liable for any losses or damages suffered while performing any of the steps outlined above.
