How To Prepare Your Pipes For Winter

Kayjay Interiors, the plumber Romford relies on, would like to share some tips on how to avoid plumbing disasters over the coming winter months.

During the infamous Beast from the East in February 2018, thousands of people were caught out by the unusually low temperatures. Exterior pipes froze like popsicles, affecting water and heating systems and leaving many people shivering in their own homes. The truth is, freezing weather can hit at any time over the winter, causing serious problems for homeowners and businesses. The best way to avoid such problems is to be prepared.

Read on to learn how to prepare for winter, from the plumber Romford people trust.

Some General Tips on Preparing For Winter

Kayjay Interiors - Plumber Romford

One of the most important things to do in the run-up to winter is to make sure you know where your stop tap is. The stop tap controls water flow to your home or business. Therefore, turning it off following a leak or burst can prevent costly water damage. Another key step is to make sure that your boiler is serviced before the cold weather sets in. Winter is a boiler’s busiest time, and it’s the time you need it most.

Radiators can get air trapped inside which prevents them from heating up properly. If a radiator is warmer at the bottom than at the top, it may need bleeding. Use a radiator key to open the valve, then tighten it again when water starts to appear. In addition, hosepipes should be disconnected over winter; as the water inside them can freeze and cause damage to the hose. It can even find its way into interior pipes, which could result in leaks.

A surprising 25% of heat in homes and businesses is lost through the roof. The best and most cost effective way of keeping warm in winter is to make sure your insulation is up to scratch.

No matter how prepared you are, mishaps can still occur in cold weather. For problems needing urgent attention, Kayjay Interiors’ plumbing services will provide a fast and effective solution.

Preparing Your Pipes

If your heating system doesn’t have a built-in frost setting, you can protect your pipes from freezing by leaving it on low. Alternatively, set it to come on for an hour in the morning and afternoon. But when it comes to preparing pipes for winter, there is no doubt that the best way to prevent them from freezing is to lag them.

Back in the day it was common to see pipes lagged with old rags and tied with string. Nowadays foam insulation tubes are readily available. They are often pre-cut lengthways to allow you to slip them over the pipes. Measure the length and width of the pipes you intend to lag, to work out how much lagging (and what diameter) you will need.

Make sure you turn your hot water and heating off and allow the pipes to cool, then cut your insulation with a craft knife to the length required. Place the lagging around your pipes and secure every 30cm or so with duct tape. And that’s job done.

If you need a plumber in Romford, you can put your trust in Kayjay Interiors. Contact us today for more information.