Tips on Insulating Your Pipes This Fall for Eastern Iowa Homeowners
With the cold months on the way, are your pipes in order? You should be sure which of the lines in your home are prone to freezing when it gets below zero. Then there is the matter of what a burst pipe will put you out for in an Eastern Iowa winter.
We at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Eastern Iowa put our 40 plus years of experience to work for homeowners in Marion, Iowa City, Davenport, Waterloo and Cedar Rapids to see their plumbing is in good shape before the freeze. Our people have been at it since 1993. Should you want some advice on insulating this fall, (319) 318-6165 is the number to put us in touch with you.
Make this the season to nip the problem in the bud. An unprotected pipe is a hazard once the wind is up and the ground has frozen over. If one of those pipes gives way, you are looking at a flooded basement, ruined floors and a repair bill in the thousands. A bit of forethought now is worth it to avoid the headache down the road.
The Case for Pipe Insulation in Eastern Iowa
You cannot make light of our winters; we have our share of cold snaps that can go on for days with the thermometer well under freezing. The water in a pipe will expand as it freezes and that puts enough strain on it to make it crack or break. More often than not you are none the wiser until the ice melts and the water comes pouring out.
Insulation is a two fold measure: it keeps the water warmer by impeding heat loss and provides a barrier from the cold air in unheated parts of the house. That goes a long way to warding off a freeze in the height of winter.
Where to Direct Your Efforts
There is more risk to some pipes in your home than others. Concentrate on the ones most at the mercy of the cold:
- Those in a garage, attic or unheated crawl space
- Water lines on an exterior wall
- Outdoor hose bibs and spigots
- Under sink supply lines on an outside wall
- Any line in an unheated basement
- A pipe with a history of freezing
One does not have to be a plumber to do the basics of insulation. Some easy things to do come fall time:
- Go to the hardware store for some foam sleeves to wrap the exposed pipes
- Put in some insulation in the nooks of the basement and crawl spaces
- Take care of any cracks or gaps where the cold can get to the pipes
- Make sure outdoor spigots are drained and garden hoses put away
- Leave the thermostat at an even setting in your absence
- In very cold weather open up the cabinet doors under the sink to let some warmth in
On the coldest of nights a slight drip from the faucet will keep the water in motion and ease the pressure; still water is much more apt to freeze.
A Professional Opinion
There are times when a roll of tape and a foam sleeve are not enough. For older or badly routed lines, repiping is the only way to eliminate the risk. Or if the pipes are in places hard to get to, or you have had trouble with them in the past, a more comprehensive approach is in order.
It is all too common for a homeowner to put off making a call until after a pipe has burst and the harm is done. We would rather have our team out to examine the plumbing and put in place the proper fix before the worst of winter. We do residential and commercial work in Eastern Iowa and our pricing is up front so there are no surprises.
For those who wish to stay ahead of small issues like a pipe that might freeze, we have a maintenance membership with service discounts and priority scheduling, complete with financing options.
Be Proactive
Do not have to wait for a cold snap to tell you your pipes were not up to snuff. An inspection this fall will save you from the inconvenience of no running water and emergency repairs. Our 24/7 availability means we are there for whatever you require, be it an inspection or some guidance.
Contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Eastern Iowa at (319) 318-6165 and face the winter with confidence.