™ ⑤ Edmonton **Plumbing** Tips For Shepherding Your Pipes Through The Winter ▓ ▓ ▓ ▓ ▓

①. Insulation Is Your Friend

Most Edmonton homes rely on two basic forms of plumbing insulation: Pipe wraps and tubular sleeves.
* Pipe Wrap: Pipe wrap is commonly made from plastic or fiberglass. Fiberglass wraps are often foil-backed; other wrapping materials may include natural cotton (with a foil backing) or rubber insulation tape. Pipe wrap should be wrapped around any at-risk pipes and secured with duct tape at either end. Individual layers of pipe wrap should overlap by at least a half an inch to ensure complete insulation.
* Tubular Sleeves: Using tubular sleeves is often the most effective way to protect lots of pipes. Sleeves are typically made from rubber or foam materials, and many brands have a handy self-sealing feature. Sleeves can be applied with a minimum of fuss by splitting them open and pushing them onto your pipes.

②. Check For Cracks And Other Pipe Damage

A cracked pipe is a problem because it allows air access to your plumbing system. This is often enough to cause water to freeze and create much more serious damage. Cracked pipes are also thermally inefficient, forcing your water heater to work harder. When you find a cracked pipe, here are some simple remedies:
* Use heavy rubber trips to patch the crack.
* Seal the cracked portion of the pipe with waterproof tape.
* Minor cracks can be addressed with a compound stick. Simply rub on the damaged area.
* Epoxy paste can be used to form a permanent seal.
* Consider replacing seriously damaged sections of piping.

③. Check All Components For Proper Function

You want all of your home's valves, faucets, and drains to be working in tip-top condition prior to winter. Clogs are prime sources of winter-time trouble; freezing is much more likely to occur in portions of your plumbing system that aren't draining properly.

④. Eliminate Drafts

Keeping your home warm will help keep your plumbing healthy. Make sure you don't have any heat escaping through gaps in your doors or windows. Keeping cold air out will reduce the risk of frozen pipes significantly.

⑤. Prepare Outdoor Taps Properly

Any exterior water taps should be properly shut down prior to the onset of winter. Shut off the valves and disconnect any hoses. Make sure you drain the pipes and the tap as thoroughly as possible.