Winter Plumbing Maintenance Tips
As the temperatures start to drop even further, the cold snaps can play havoc with your plumbing at times. This can be very inconvenient, especially if your boiler or heating system breaks down during the colder months of the year. However, with a few simple maintenance tips, you can help prevent these problems and get the most out of your heating system this winter.
Insulation
If the water in your pipes becomes too cold, it can freeze, expanding and damaging the pipes themselves. You can help prevent this with a simple DIY-insulation method – use foam padding sleeves or specialist insulation tape and you can keep your pipes warm and reduce the risk of cracks and leaks.
Keep Taps Trickling
While it may seem like a strange thing to do, keeping your taps trickling ever so slightly during the evenings can help prevent the onset of frozen pipes and blockages. If the water is still running, it can’t freeze so by turning your taps on ever so slightly you will save yourself the hassle and expense of having to have your pipes repaired.
Circulate Warm Air
Keeping warm air flowing throughout your home can be an effective defense against the freezing of pipes in your walls. While doing this, ensure that cabinets under sinks and near walls are left open so they can benefit from the extra heat, too.
Disconnect Hoses/Outdoor Taps
It is important that you disconnect any hosepipes from outdoor taps, as particularly cold temperatures can cause them to freeze together, which can create a big problem when the time comes to use them again. Using insulated faucet jackets is highly recommended as they can protect outdoor taps and the lines running into your home from freezing.
Plumbing Inspections
Scheduling a visit from a professional engineer can be of a huge help to you, as they can carry out a detailed inspection of the system and advise you on what, if any action needs to be taken. This ensures that you are not caught out by a sudden fault and you don’t have to spend extra money on an out of hours call out.
Here at A&D Plumbing Services, we offer nothing but the best plumbing services to customers throughout Braintree, Colchester and Newmarket. Whether domestic or commercial, if you would like to benefit from our expertise.
Please get in touch with us today and we’ll be happy to help you 01206 205 940.