Photo by PAN XIAOZHEN on Unsplash
The winter of Canada is beautiful, with the snowfalls and freezing temperatures; nevertheless, there is a certain set of plumbing challenges that took place in frozen tundra. Some of the major heading which involves frozen pipes that, if not dealt with as per the right method, can be quite serious. Now add freezing temperatures and heavy snows–that puts the icing on the cake and is surely enough too adversarial the plumbing and subsequently to bring into being expensive repairs or destruction of property.
It was high time the plumbing contractor Toronto taught the art of prevention and how to act for the snowfall. Here are some very helpful tips that will help protect the plumbing mechanism during the worst days during Canadian winters.
1. Frozen Pipes are a Major Winter Hazard
The usual, rather annoying winter plumbing issues that do apparently ‘attack’ many homeowners here in Canada relate to frozen pipes. In fact, if the temperature outside were to fall below zero, water inside your pipes can freeze. Freezing enforces water to expand. The expansion of frozen water exerts a serious amount of pressure on the pipe enough probably causing the bursting of pipes. These bursting pipes can be one of the causes of flooding, causing more damage, damages that might call for costly repairs.
These cold temperature pipes, which are really vulnerable to freeze-up, are those running through the unheated or less-insulated areas of your house. Those places will involve areas such as the basement, crawl space, or attic and running down along exterior house walls. These conditions will, therefore, expose your pipes to cold, rapid temperature changes, thereby making such pipes especially prone to freezing.
2. Insulate Your Pipes to Prevent Freezing
Other effective ways of protecting your pipes from freezing involve the insulation of the pipes. The process of insulating pipes is relatively inexpensive and easy to install but quite effective in preventing the occurrence of freezing. Undeniably, the pipes in areas like the basement, attic, garage, or along exterior walls will certainly have to be insulated since these are areas that are most affected by temperature fluctuations.
Most instances provide this foam pipe insulation, and are fairly easy to install. It warms up the pipes and protects it against cold air coming into contact with the pipes. Other means other than foam insulation use heat tapes, made especially for warming up the pipes in the freezing of water.
3. Letting Faucets Drip During Extreme Cold
There may even be freezing of water in the insulated pipes when the temperature is below zero. A very simple but effective solution: let your faucets leak or drip during those frigid nights. The fact that the flux is continuous-at least a small leak or slight trickling-eliminates the probable situation of water freezing in that small area inside the pipe system.
This is most needed for those faucets located on exterior walls since these will most likely be the cold ones. Small it may be, allowing the faucets to drip may save you from experiencing a burst pipe and possible water damage.
4. The Impact of Snowfall on Your Plumbing
More important, however is learning that heavy snowfall can indirectly affect your plumbing system-it blocks the vents, downspouts and drains, and backs up water or pressure onto the pipes, if the snow is piled up against the foundation of your house it could leak into your basement or crawl spaces and could damage your pipes.
For this, keep the snow away from the vents, downspouts, and exterior drains of your house. Snow packed up around the foundation also needs removal for prevention against collection of water and freezing near your pipes. Snow blows or shovels the area to keep your plumbing system safe from weight and moisture of snow.
5. Keep the Heat On inside Your House
During the winter, it’s crucial to maintain a consistent temperature inside your home to protect your plumbing system. Even if you’re going away for a few days, don’t turn off the heat completely. Set your thermostat to at least 12°C (55°F) to keep the temperature inside the walls and pipes above freezing.
If you’re planning to be away for an extended period, ask a neighbor or friend to check on your home and make sure the heating system is functioning properly. A sudden drop in temperature can cause pipes to freeze quickly, so it’s important to maintain a warm and stable environment inside your home.
6. Shut Off Outdoor Water Supply
It’s easy to remember which pipes freeze easiest – during the cold season of a year, they will need the most protection compared to other emergency plumbing fixtures (nf): a garden hose and outdoor faucets. If water is left inside them, then for sure it will freeze there inside, after which it is going to leak when the pipes burst. So, the garden hoses need to be taken out and taken somewhere dry while outdoor faucets need to be switched off with water drained off the pipe.
This would also be a great time for professional plumbing services in respect of the winterizing of an irrigation system, should you have one. It would prevent pipes from freezing and it would be ready in time for the next spring.
7. Snow and Ice Deposits: Roof and Gutter Precautions
The falling snow may indirectly affect your plumbing because of the attacks it will create on the roof and gutters. That is, snow that has accumulated on your roof creates the potential to develop ice dams-that take place when melting snow at the heated part of your roof refreezes at the edge. This can block the flow of water, causing it to back up under shingles and into your home, where it can cause water damage to your ceilings, walls, and plumbing fixtures.
Keep your gutters clean, and don’t let large accumulations of snow stay on your roof. If ice dams do form and become a concern, have a pro remove them before they create problems with your plumbing system-or your home.
8. Know How to Shut Off Your Water Supply
If your pipes do freeze and then burst, knowing how to turn off your water supply will help minimize damage. Now locate your main water shutoff valve and make sure that it is accessible. In most homes the main water shutoff valve is near the water meter or where the water line enters your house.
If you’re unsure where your shutoff valve is, take the time to locate it before winter sets in. In the case of a burst pipe, turning off the water immediately will help prevent flooding and water damage.
9. Schedule a Winter Plumbing Inspection
If you’re concerned about the condition of your plumbing system or want to ensure your pipes are ready for winter, consider scheduling a professional plumbing inspection of your area. A licensed plumber can check your system for vulnerabilities, including areas where pipes may be at risk of freezing, and provide advice on how to protect your plumbing throughout the winter months.
The early detection of problems in a winter plumbing inspection gives you peace of mind to know your system is well and ready. Canada and its winter can be overwhelming if not taken care properly with your trusted plumbing experts.
Conclusion
Winters in Canada are so nice, with snowfalls, some serious challenges for your plumbing system come in. Frozen pipes, gathering snow, building up ice, may cause severe damage if not treated appropriately. The insulation of the pipes, removal of snow around your home, and keeping the surroundings warm will save your plumbing from getting damaged and also save you from expensive repairs.
