Have you ever woken up just to find a burst pipe with a flooded kitchen- that’s no one’s idea of good morning. You might think what can a small crack in a pipe do? You will be surprised that it can do alot- from soaking floors, warping wood, ruining carpets, or even mould growth– if not dried quickly. With that in mind, many homeowners keep asking: “What are the best tips for preventing burst pipes?”
Our team at Dehumidifier Rentals have been helping customers recover from frozen and burst pipes for years. So, this article will take you through: why pipes burst?, how to prevent it, and what to do if the worst happens.
Let’s begin…
Why Do Pipes Burst?
The biggest culprit is cold weather; however, it is not the only one. Pipes are more prone in:
- Unheated locations (lofts, garages, crawl spaces)
- In empty houses during a holiday or winter getaway
- An old pipe system that is being corroded or considered weak
Once water inside a pipe freezes, it begins to expand. Since space taken by ice is more than water, pressure builds up inside the pipe until it finally causes it to split or burst.
Read on:
Will a dehumidifier help with mould?
Tips for Preventing Burst Pipes
The winter season is the time to wait for something to happen. Apply proven practical tips to forestall leaks and damage:
- Insulate Your Pipes (Especially in Cold Areas)
Use foam lagging or pipe insulation for any pipe in:
- Lofts
- Crawl spaces
- Unheated utility rooms
These places are open and usually forgotten.
- Keep the Heating On (When Away, Too)
- Set your central heating so the temperatures fall between 12 and 15 degrees Celsius.
- Do not turn it off completely if you’re going away. It helps to prevent freezing in empty houses.
- Open Cabinets and Loft Hatches
- Leave cabinet doors open under sinks or around pipework in heated areas
- Loft hatch slightly open to allow warm air to reach the cold water tank
- Shut Off and Drain When Away
If you’re away for some length of time:
- Stop water from going into the house at the main water stopcock
- Drain the system so it has no standing water that might freeze in the pipes
- Stop water going to outside taps: those are usually the first to freeze
Read also:
How to treat damp walls internally
In Case a Pipe Does Burst
In spite of all precautions, there are times when things will go wrong. If bursting of a pipe does occur, it is time to act fast:
- Turn off the mains water supply at the stopcock
- Switch off the electricity if water is near sockets or appliances
- Mop up the standing water and use a wet vacuum if available
- Ventilate the area; open windows and doors
- Hire a dehumidifier and fan to keep mould away and quicken drying
- Call a plumber to rectify the problem
Conclusion: Tips for Preventing Burst Pipes
Pipe bursts occur very fast, but are mostly preventable with simple precautions. The aforementioned tips will help you to prevent bursting pipes and save you thousands in repair costs and weeks of stress.
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