Pipes can get exceptionally cold when exposed to the air outdoors. In our area, a cold snap can freeze pipes and cause large amounts of damage that will ultimately be expensive to clean up and cause serious trouble. One way we prevent this kind of problem from happening is with pipe insulation in Cedar Rapids, IA.
However, contrary to popular belief, there are multiple different ways to provide pipe insulation. Sure, there are some actual pipe-insulating materials that we can set you up with that keep your pipes protected from the cold, but our work doesn’t stop there.
Keep reading to learn about how our pipe insulation services might help to protect your home from a serious problem.
The First and Best Solution to Exposed Pipes
Many building codes keep pipes away from the outdoors. This means that your home might already be protected from pipes freezing, due to the fact that it’s been constructed with all your sensitive pipes inside where it’s warm and cozy. That could be true for everything except your outside faucets and hoses, which are exposed to the cold.
Start by figuring out which pipes are exposed if there are any at all. If it’s an outdoor faucet, there might be a valve you can turn to shut off access to that outlet. Then, if you drain it out, your exposed pipes will have no water in them and won’t be able to freeze. If you’ve got other pipes that are exposed, then we need to work on insulating them, which we’ll cover down below.
Keep in mind, even if your pipes are inside, they could still freeze. Make sure when it gets extremely cold outside to open your cabinets so warm air from your heating system can circulate to where your pipes are. This will keep them warmer than normal, stopping them from freezing at all (or even getting close).
Other Tips to Ward Against Freezing Pipes
Still need help with protecting your pipes from freezing? Perhaps it’s going to get unusually cold this year and you need some support. A good last resort if it’s getting extremely cold, especially at night, is to let your faucet drip slightly. This change in pressure will keep your water from freezing, even if it dips to that temperature threshold.
Another tip is to make sure your heating system doesn’t go lower than the 50s when you’re out on vacation or at work. It might seem like turning the system off completely while you’re away is the most efficient option, but this can allow interior pipes to freeze if the temperature sharply drops.
Our Team Can Help
Yes, we can insulate your exposed pipes so they don’t freeze as easily. We have access to insulating materials that can keep pipes protected from sharp gusts of wind and temperature drops that might otherwise cause them to freeze. But we’d recommend following the tips we already mentioned in addition to using our pipe insulation services so you can ensure your pipes never freeze, even when the temperature drops.
At Dalton Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, Electric and Fireplaces, Inc., your comfort is our promise! To set up an appointment in the Cedar Rapids area, give us a call at the number above, email customerservice@daltonphc.com or schedule an appointment online.