Our expert offers his top three tips to reduce the risk of frozen pipes and water damage in your home
By Samuel Dowal-Asselin, P.Eng.
Water damage… that unwelcome surprise no one wants to return to after a winter getaway. But what steps can you take to prevent it?
Samuel Dowal-Asselin, an experienced investigator with three years at CEP, offers his top three tips for avoiding frozen pipes and the headaches they bring.
- Maintain a suitable indoor temperature
It’s a common misconception that lowering the thermostat by just a few degrees will be enough to prevent pipes from freezing, even during a cold spell. While it may be tempting to set the thermostat to a minimum level before going on vacation or overnight to save on electricity, the temperature on the thermostat doesn’t always reflect the conditions in colder areas of your home.
For instance, poorly insulated spaces, such as beneath a dishwasher or near a rim joist, can be significantly colder than the rest of the house. Pipes in these areas are particularly vulnerable and can freeze with even a slight drop in ambient temperature, especially on extremely cold days. This is often the case in older homes with inadequate insulation, where our experts frequently find frozen pipes even when the thermostat is set at 15-16 °C (59-61 °F).
- Avoid insulating water pipes from heat sources:
A common issue our experts encounter is over-insulation of domestic water pipes, particularly in areas like outside walls or unheated attics. Ensure that insulation is adequate on the cold side of the pipe but minimal on the side exposed to heat. This balance allows heat to reach the pipes and prevents freezing.
- Prepare for power outages:
Homes are exposed to freezing conditions when power failures happen during a cold spell, especially if there is no alternative such as a fireplace, wood-burning stove or portable heater. During this time, our expert advises you to leave taps running and open cupboard doors under sinks, especially those s walls.
During cold spells, power failures can expose homes to freezing conditions, especially if there are no alternative heat sources like a fireplace, wood-burning stove, or portable heater. In these situations, our expert recommends leaving taps slightly open to keep water flowing and opening cupboard doors under sinks, especially those along the outside walls. This will help prevent pipes from freezing by maintaining water circulation and promoting air circulation around plumbing fixtures.
Figure 1 – Cold spot noted with a thermal camera at roof level.
Figure 3 – Ruptured Cast Iron Tee Fitting Installed On An Automatic Sprinkler System
Figure 2 – Multiple Ruptured Copper Pipes Retrieved From The Same Freezing Event
Figure 4 – Failed solenoid valve installed on a dishwasher.
Hopefully, our expert’s tips will help reduce the risk of frozen pipes and water damage in your home this winter!