The northeast has seen a good amount of freezing temperatures already this winter. 2018 definitely came in with a bang! Winterizing your home each year can help in lowering maintenance costs, since you will end up dealing with fewer repairs.
One of the items that should be on your checklist for every winter is protecting the pipes to keep them from freezing. Freezing temperatures can affect any exposed pipes, causing damage and disrupting your daily routine. Winterize your pipes with insulation to keep them from freezing and splitting and to minimize heat loss. This is especially important if you have a finished basement, because a flooded basement quickly becomes a serious problem.
Tubular Sleeves
For covering extended pipe lengths, tubular sleeve insulation is the best option. Since they are available in 6 foot lengths, it will not take long to cover the pipes. Many of these insulation products are self-sealing and they are available in either rubber or foam. Simply make a straight cut from one end to the next, and then place it over the pipe and then use duct tape to seal it.
Pipe-wrap
This type of insulation is available in different material options such as plastic and fiberglass. You can find pipe-wrap insulation at any home improvement store in your area. This type requires more work than tubular sleeves. You have to tape one end, and then wrap it around the pipe, overlapping as you go. Make sure that there are no gaps when you finish wrapping the pipes.
The Most Vulnerable Pipes
Due to their location, some pipes are more prone to freezing in winter. If you act quickly to that them you can prevent them from breaking. The pipes most likely to freeze are:
- In unheated basements or crawl spaces
- Underneath sinks located near outside walls
- In outside walls
Turning up the heat in the home can warm up the pipes but this may take a long time. Sometimes it may be necessary to cut out a section of the wall to access the frozen pipes. Portable heaters can be used to thaw out frozen pipes under sinks and cabinets.
Electric heat tape is another effective measure that is easy to use. Wrap it around the pipes, plug it in and soon they will be flowing freely again. For a quick, frozen pipe remedy, use a hair dryer to warm them up and loosen the ice. Once you know where the problem pipes are, you should take steps to protect them before each winter. Opening cabinet doors will allow heat to reach the pipes in the kitchen or bathroom and prevent freezing.
Basement Remodeling in Newington
Basement remodeling is what we do here at Quality Built Basements. Call us at 860-667-8105 to discuss remodeling your basement and helping insure that your basement is properly insulated.
