Prevent a Burst Pipe in Your Home

If there is one thing that any Arlington homeowner does not want to deal with during the winter months, it is a pipe that bursts in their home.
In addition to causing large amounts of water damage, the repair bill can go quite high depending on the extent of the damage and what needs to be repaired or replaced.
However, for people who are concerned about this happening in their homes, there are a number of precautions they can take to prevent such an event from happening.

Check Pipes for Leaks

During the transition from warm weather to cold, pipes are subjected to tremendous amounts of expansion and contraction depending upon the temperature range.
As a result of this, pipes can become cracked or damaged to the point of producing leaks at various spots. If left unchecked, these cracks can lead to pipes bursting when the water inside the pipes freezes.
To make sure this does not happen, contacting a plumber for an inspection of the home’s plumbing system prior to cold weather can be a smart thing to do if there is any uncertainty. Any pipes that are found to be cracked, rusted, or corroded should be replaced as soon as possible.

Insulate Pipes

Many older homes have pipes that are located on the outside of walls in basements, crawlspaces, attics, and garages. In these homes, these pipes are often exposed to much colder temperatures than other parts of the home. Therefore, it’s quite possible these pipes may at some point burst during the winter.
To make sure things stay dry, homeowners should use heat tape to cover the pipes or have a plumber install Styrofoam pipe insulation to keep pipes warm day and night.
For pipes that are located in extremely cold parts of a Arlington home, thermostat-controlled heating cables may need to be laid on them in order to keep water from freezing.

Disconnect Hoses from Outside Faucets

While many people pay close attention to their inside plumbing, they sometimes forget about the outside components. One of the most common mistakes is failing to disconnect hoses from outside faucets, which can allow water in pipes to freeze and eventually lead to the pipes bursting.
To keep this accident from occurring, disconnect garden hoses from faucets as soon as temperatures start to dip. This will allow water to drip our of the hose bib and keep the pipes from bursting.

Avoid a costly pipe burst with these key tips! Call The Plumbing Dr. at (703) 525-9280 for repairs in your Arlington, VA home.